‘Did You Lose a Bet?’—Erling Haaland Unveils Shocking New Haircut for New Season

Erling Haaland cites Zlatan Ibrahimović as one of his top sporting idols and the Swedish legend turned to a biblical tale in his advice for the Manchester City striker.

“Never cut your hair,” the former Barcelona and Manchester United forward told his fellow Scandinavian. “Because your strength is in your hair.” Yet, City’s Samson didn’t need Delilah to sneak in under the cover of night to trim his locks, he did it all on his own.

“The season starts now, so it’s time to get a fresh start,” Haaland told his YouTube channel ahead of City’s Premier League opener against Bournemouth on Sunday. “I’m a bit nervous.” That was a common feeling.

The unnamed hairdresser given the onerous task of shaving off Haaland’s signature man bun admitted: “I’m a little bit stressed. It’s not a usual job.”

Haaland’s agent Rafaela Pimenta was also visibly anxious, calling it “the most expensive haircut of all time” before a strand had been shed.

Haaland’s girlfriend Isabel Haugseng Johansen yelped, “I think I will cry.”

Short hair don’t care 😅✂️ pic.twitter.com/tPzQVFoUIL
— Erling Haaland (@Erling) August 23, 2026

However, by the time the shearing had been completed, Johansen was pleasantly surprised. “It looks nice. You look cute,” she smiled, much to the dismay of Haaland, who had been going for a “tough” look. “I’ll wake up in the morning and think, who’s that?”

That reaction may not be restricted to their shared bedroom. “Can’t wait for the fans to sing, ‘Who the f---ing hell is that?’” Haaland cackled from the barber’s chair. “I want Man City fans to sing that.”

“Imagine if I score a header tomorrow,” he added mischievously.

Haaland has previously sported shorter haircuts but this marks a considerable shift for a player who has consistently rocked the same look throughout his four seasons at Manchester City. “No regrets, never,” the Norway international insisted, turning towards an example a little closer to his roots that Samson and Delilah. “Remember, the vikings always cut it short.”

‘You’re Lucky’—Guardiola, Ibrahimovic, Grealish React to Haaland’s Haircut

There was a common consensus among the select group of individuals Haaland chose to share his new look with on Saturday afternoon, the 26-year-old had shed some years. “Mate, you look about 17 years old,” City superfan and Oasis star Noel Gallagher chortled down the phone.

Haaland’s City teammate Jack Grealish, once he’d stopped laughing, surmised: “You look about f---ing 10 years old.”

Yet, Gallagher concluded: “Change is good,” while Grealish gushed: “I love it.”

Ibrahimović, the person who advised Haaland never to cut his hair, wasn’t so convinced. “What the f--- did you do?” he asked, a genuine undercurrent of gentle anger beneath his voice. “Oh my god, what the f--- is this? You lost a bet, or what? Block me and erase my number.” The only positive Ibrahimović could find was: “You’re going to be faster, right?”

Pep Guardiola, City’s recently departed manager, also weighed in. “No way,” he gasped, topless and sunburnt while enjoying his sabbatical. “You’re lucky you have hair,” the bald Catalan warned. “I would love to have it.”

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