Every generation has its superstar soccer players, from the legendary Pele to Maradona, Best, Cruyff, and on into the modern era with Ronaldo and Messi. With both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo now reaching the twilight of their careers, fans are once again looking for the next truly world-class players.
One of the standout players to emerge over the past few seasons is Norweigan striker Erling Haaland, one of the most explosive, physical, and deadly strikers in world soccer. Currently, at Manchester City, Haaland is already setting the Premier League alight, scoring goals for fun and taking the league by storm.
To find out what makes Haaland so unique, we thought we would take a deeper look into the Norwegian superstar’s family history; what makes a player like Haaland? Is he an only child determined to reach the top, or is he a family man with a wife and family?
Let’s find out.
| Erling Haaland’s Family | Name |
|---|---|
| Parents | Father: Alfie Haaland Mother: Gry Marita Haaland |
| Siblings | Gabrielle Braut Haaland, Astor Haaland |
| Girlfriend | Isabel Haugseng Johansen |
| Cousins | Albert Braut Tjåland, Jonatan Braut Brunes |
Parents – Athletes In The Family
- Father: Alfie Haaland – Former pro soccer player
- Mother: Gry Marita Haaland – National heptathlon champion
Suppose there was any question over whether genetics and family history could be a factor in what profession a person is more inclined to favor. In that case, the Haaland family is the perfect case in point.
With a father who spent most of his career as a Premier League player and a heptathlon mother, Haaland looks to be almost genetically coded to be a superb athlete.
Erling Haaland’s father, Alfie, played at the highest level for Nottingham Forest, Leeds United, and Manchester City, and it was while at Leeds United that his son Erling was born. Capped 34 times for Norway, Alfie Haaland had a superb career, and his youngest son would soon show a desire to follow in his father’s footsteps.
By the age of 15. Erling Haaland was in the Bryne 2 squad and scored an impressive 18 goals in just 14 appearances. Within two years, the Norwegian striker would find himself at Molde and scored 14 goals for the first team in two seasons before a move to Red Bull Salzburg in 2019.
With parents whose entire careers were spent being in peak physical condition, it’s little wonder that Haaland would soon be known for his drive, strength, and agility as a lethal center forward.
As well as having athletes for parents, Haaland has several cousins who are professional soccer players, including Albert Braut Haaland, who currently plays for Bryne in Norway.
Siblings
- Sister: Gabrielle Braut Haaland (born 1998)
- Brother: Astor Haaland (born 1995)
Erling Haaland has two siblings, a brother, and a sister, who are both older than Erling. Haaland’s elder brother, Astor, is five years older than his youngest sibling and is currently finishing a Master’s Degree in Norway.
At well over six feet tall, Astor has the same physical attributes as his brother and is tall, blonde, and athletic.
Having a tall, quick, and athletic elder brother actually helped out the young Erling when he was in his first year of professional soccer at Bryne, as at the time, the future star hadn’t begun to grow.
The coaching staff at the club knew Haaland had serious potential but also knew that in a few years, there was every chance the player would also become tall, robust, and lightning-fast like his elder brother.
Erling Haaland’s sister, Gabrielle, is also older than the Manchester City center forward and is a little over two years older than her brother.
Like her older brother, Gabrielle prefers to remain out of the limelight, though she is known to be married with a child. Like the rest of her siblings, Gabrielle Haaland is tall and blonde.
Girlfriend
- Girlfriend/Dating: Isabel Hauseng Johansen
Erling Haaland is only 22 years of age and has many years ahead of him as an elite striker. Due to his complete focus on becoming one of the best strikers in world soccer, Haaland hasn’t had time to look for a serious relationship as yet, although, in recent months, it has emerged that he is dating fellow Norweigian Isabel Haugseng Johansen.
Johansen, also from Bryne in Norway, and Haaland have been friends for many years, as the 18-year-old is also a professional soccer player. Both players began their careers at Bryne.
Despite having the world at his feet, Haaland is well aware that stable home life is essential to a professional soccer player, so it seems good sense to find a partner that he knows and trusts.
A promising young player in the Norwegian Women’s League, Isabel Hauseng Johansen seems an ideal girlfriend for Haaland; they’ve known each other for many years and have built their relationship from friendship to a more intimate relationship.
Also, as a fellow professional soccer player, Johansen will also be aware of what it takes to be a serious soccer player.
Unlike a player whose girlfriend may wish to spend their time going on long vacations or having late nights out at parties, Haaland will be able to see his new love interest when neither has games for their respective clubs.
Both will wish to keep a reasonably low profile and can build their relationship in a more private setting than on the red carpet.
The relationship between Haaland and Johansen is still relatively new. Given that both players are still young and focussing very firmly on their careers, the chances of seeing tiny Haalands look slim for now. A professional soccer player has a very short career, so making the most of it is essential.
While Erling Haaland can focus on his soccer career, even if the couple does decide to one day have children, at 18, Johansen has many years of professional soccer ahead of her.
Many soccer players can play to an elite level into their late 30s, and Haaland looks like the sort of player to want to break every scoring record he can while he can.
Wider Family Connections – Haaland’s Cousins
- Cousin: Albert Braut Tjåland (born 2004) – Pro soccer player
- Cousin: Jonatan Braut Brunes (born 2000) – Pro soccer player
With parents whose influences can be clearly seen in how Erling Haaland lives his life, it’s evident that even from an early age, the young Norwegian had a strong leaning towards a sporting career.
Having grown up around athletes whose need for focus and dedication to remain at the top level meant sacrifices would have to be made, Haaland has embraced the ethos his parents showed him as a child.
Throughout his short yet incredible career, Haaland has shown a drive to become the best striker in the world, and it’s thanks to his family and close friends that he seems to have kept his feet on the ground. It may also explain why many of Haaland’s relatives have chosen professional sports as their careers.
Two of Erling Haaland’s cousins, Jonatan Braut Brunes and Albert Tjaland, both play soccer professionally.
Brunes is a much-traveled player in Norway, having already played for Bryne, Sola, and Lillestrom before moving to Stromsgodset in 2022. At only 22, Brunes could well progress into a very good striker, as could fellow cousin Albert Tjåland.
Tjåland is also a striker like his two cousins, and at only 18 years old, he has a bright future ahead of him.
Before turning professional, the young Tjaland became almost world-famous, in part due to his association with Erling Haaland but also for his incredible scoring feats while at Bryne. Tjåland scored 69 goals in 48 games for the Bryne youth team, prompting a move to Molde in 2021.
What The Future Holds
While Erling Haaland is already one of the best strikers on the planet, there’s a real chance he could keep progressing and become one of the greatest of all time.
Still only 22, Haaland looks set for at least another decade at the very top and, injuries permitting, has every attribute needed to become a global star.
With a stable family life behind him and a blossoming relationship with another young athlete going well, Haaland is doing everything the right way.
The next few years at Manchester City look full of promise, and with over 20 league goals already in the Premier League, the Norwegian striker looks set to have a truly outstanding 2023.
