Erling Haaland Unveils Buzz Cut Ahead of New Premier League Season

August 24, 2026 | 11:14 am

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has swapped his trademark long blond hair for a buzz cut ahead of the new Premier League season, sparking a wave of reactions from fans, teammates and football stars.

According to nine.com.au, Haaland revealed his new look on Instagram with the message, "Short hair, don't care," after documenting the dramatic haircut in a six-minute YouTube video.

The 26-year-old had worn his hair long since 2021, making the blond locks a defining part of his appearance. He often tied it into a ponytail or bun during matches, adding to his distinctive Viking-inspired image.

In his YouTube video, Haaland explained that he had considered cutting his hair immediately after the 2026 World Cup but postponed the decision because of his busy schedule.

"This beautiful blond hair ... time to let it go," Haaland said, as quoted by nine.com.au.

"I was thinking about doing it straight after the World Cup, but I was so busy, so I didn't do it. The season starts now so it's time to get a fresh start."

As reported by ESPN, Haaland's new hairstyle quickly became another viral moment for a player who attracted enormous attention during the 2026 World Cup.

The Norway striker led his country to the quarterfinals during the tournament, while fans embraced his image through wigs, memes and even a Haaland lookalike contest in Miami.

The haircut would make those lookalike contests look rather different now.

Haaland also used the video to surprise several of his friends with his new appearance. Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher told him he looked about 17, while Manchester City teammate Jack Grealish joked that he looked about 10.

Former Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was also surprised when Haaland showed him the new hairstyle.

"You're lucky you have hair. I would love to have it," Guardiola said, according to ESPN.

Former Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic had an even stronger reaction. Haaland said Ibrahimovic had previously advised him never to cut his hair because his strength was supposedly in his locks.

When Ibrahimovic saw the new look, he responded: "What did you do? You lost a bet or what?"

Haaland said the decision was partly motivated by the start of a new season and a desire for a fresh beginning. He also joked about the reaction he expected from Manchester City supporters.

The change comes as Haaland begins his first Premier League campaign without Guardiola, who stepped down as City's manager last summer. Former Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has taken over at the Etihad Stadium.

Haaland has finished as the Premier League's top scorer in three of his four seasons since joining Manchester City in July 2022. However, his new campaign began without a goal.

City opened their 2026/27 league season on Sunday by coming from behind to beat Bournemouth 2-1, with Marc Guehi and Josko Gvardiol scoring late goals after Marcus Tavernier had put the hosts ahead.

Haaland missed several chances but did not find the net, meaning his first appearance of the new season featured a dramatic new hairstyle but no goal.

Despite his quiet start on the pitch, his buzz cut ensured that Haaland remained one of football's biggest talking points off it.

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