Erling Haaland Turns Heads With Dramatic New Haircut Ahead of Premier League Opener

Erling Haaland has started the new Premier League season with a look that fans never expected to see.

The Manchester City striker has said goodbye to the long blonde hair that had become one of his most recognizable features. Just days before the start of the new campaign, Haaland revealed a dramatically shorter haircut through a series of photos and videos on social media.

One post carried the simple caption, “New season, new trim.”

Another read, “Short hair don’t care.”

Haaland Cuts Off His Signature Look

Haaland had kept his long hairstyle since 2021, frequently tying his hair back while playing for Manchester City.

Over time, the style became closely associated with the Norwegian forward and his image as one of football’s most intimidating goal scorers. His long blonde hair was particularly noticeable during the recent World Cup, becoming an increasingly familiar part of his public persona.

Now, that era is over.

“This beautiful blonde hair… time to let it go,” Haaland said in a video documenting the transformation.

The striker explained that he had intended to cut his hair after the World Cup, but his schedule never gave him the right opportunity. With a new Premier League season about to begin, he finally decided it was time for a fresh start.

The result was a buzz cut that represented a major departure from his usual appearance.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic Had Warned Him

Haaland also brought up some advice he had previously received from Swedish football legend Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

According to Haaland, Ibrahimovic had told him never to cut his hair, joking that his strength remained in it.

That did not stop the Manchester City star from going ahead with the transformation.

Haaland even joked about the Viking connection, pointing out that Vikings could also wear their hair short. His hairdresser, meanwhile, described the haircut as the most expensive of all time.

As the haircut progressed, Haaland poked fun at his own appearance. At one point, he laughed that he looked like Kevin from Home Alone.

He also joked about the reaction he might receive when supporters first saw him, referencing the chant, “who the f—ing hell is that.”

Haaland’s Friends and Teammates React

Haaland wasted little time showing off the finished product.

He FaceTimed several people to get their reactions, including Manchester City figures and some of his famous friends.

Jack Grealish told Haaland that he looked about 10 years old.

Pep Guardiola approved of the new appearance and joked that he wished he still had hair himself.

Noel Gallagher also gave the haircut his approval, saying the change looked good.

Ibrahimovic, however, had a very different reaction.

The former Sweden international appeared genuinely shocked when he saw Haaland’s new look.

“What did you do? You lost a bet or what? Block me and erase my number,” Ibrahimovic said while laughing.

A New Look Before a New Season

The timing of the haircut adds another layer to the transformation.

Manchester City are set to open their Premier League campaign against Bournemouth, giving Haaland his first opportunity to appear in a competitive match with his new hairstyle.

His social media posts quickly attracted huge attention, with the videos and photos collecting nearly nine million combined views on Instagram.

The haircut has changed Haaland’s appearance considerably, but the expectations surrounding him remain the same. He enters the new campaign as one of football’s most prolific finishers, with Manchester City looking to return to the top of the Premier League.

The long-haired Viking look that had become synonymous with Haaland is now gone.

At the Etihad Stadium, a new season begins with a very different-looking Erling Haaland leading the line.