Erling Haaland Biography 2026: Age, Height, Parents, and Career Stats

As of early 2026, Erling Haaland is 25 years old, stands at 1.94 meters (6’4″), and weighs approximately 88 kilograms (194 lbs). He currently plays as a striker for Manchester City in the Premier League and represents the Norway national team, where he holds the record as the all-time leading goalscorer. This comprehensive guide covers his journey from his birth in Leeds to becoming the most clinical finisher in world football, his strict 6,000-calorie diet, his athletic lineage from parents Alf-Inge Haaland and Gry Marita Braut, and his specialized training routines that defy conventional sports science.

Readers will gain an in-depth understanding of Haaland’s genetic advantages, his early life in the small Norwegian town of Bryne, and the specific milestones that defined his rise through Molde, Red Bull Salzburg, and Borussia Dortmund. We also explore his personal life, including his education, his relationship with Isabel Haugseng Johansen, and the practical ways fans can follow his record-breaking career in the 2025/26 season.

Haaland Age Height and Weight 2026

In January 2026, Erling Haaland is 25 years old, having been born on July 21, 2000. His physical presence remains his most imposing attribute, with a height of 1.94 meters (6 feet 4 inches) providing a significant aerial advantage in the box.His weight is maintained at a lean 88 kilograms (194 lbs), consisting of high muscle density and a body fat percentage that typically fluctuates between 5% and 7% during the peak of the Premier League season.

His physical development has been a point of study for sports scientists, as he has added roughly 12-15 kilograms of muscle mass since his teenage years at Molde. This “cyborg-like” frame allows him to withstand the physical demands of English football while maintaining a top speed of over 36 km/h. His stride length, measured at approximately 2.4 meters at full tilt, allows him to cover ground faster than almost any other striker in the history of the game.

Erling Haaland Parents and Background

Erling’s parents are Alf-Inge Haaland and Gry Marita Braut, both of whom were elite athletes in their own right. His father, Alf-Inge, was a professional footballer who played as a defender and midfielder for Nottingham Forest, Leeds United, and Manchester City, earning 34 caps for Norway. His mother, Gry Marita, was a national champion in the heptathlon in Norway during the 1990s, a grueling multi-sport event that requires immense speed, strength, and endurance.

The influence of his parents extends beyond mere genetics; they provided a structured, sports-oriented environment from a young age. While Alf-Inge manages much of the business side of Erling’s career alongside agent Rafaela Pimenta, Gry Marita is often credited with providing the calm, grounded temperament that helps Erling handle global superstardom. They divorced when Erling was young, but they remain a united front in supporting his professional development and mental well-being.

Childhood and Early Football Life

Erling Haaland’s childhood was centered in Bryne, a small farming and industrial town in southwest Norway, after his family moved there from England in 2004. He joined the local club, Bryne FK, at the age of five, where he played on a gravel pitch that helped develop his technical control and balance. Unlike many modern academies, Bryne focused on inclusive play, allowing Erling to play with the same group of 40 friends for nearly a decade regardless of skill level.

During these formative years, Haaland was not always the physical giant he is today; he was actually quite small and thin until a massive growth spurt in his mid-teens. His youth coach, Alf Ingve Berntsen, noted that because he wasn’t the biggest, Erling had to develop “football intelligence” and clever movement to beat older, stronger defenders. This combination of early technical refinement and later physical dominance is what created the “complete” striker seen today.

Birth and Life in Leeds

Erling Haaland was born in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England, on July 21, 2000, during his father’s tenure at Leeds United.Because he was born in England, he was technically eligible to represent the England national team, a prospect that was briefly discussed by English media during his breakout years. However, Haaland has always maintained that he feels 100% Norwegian and never seriously considered playing for the Three Lions.

The family lived in England until 2003/2004, when Alf-Inge’s career was cut short following a series of injuries, most notably the infamous tackle by Roy Keane and subsequent knee issues. Returning to Norway at age three meant that Erling’s primary memories and cultural identity are rooted in Norwegian traditions. Despite this, he retains an affinity for Leeds United and has been spotted wearing their merchandise, reflecting the city’s role as his birthplace.

Relationship to Alfie Haaland

The relationship between Erling and his father, Alf-Inge (often called Alfie), is one of the most successful father-son partnerships in sports history. Alfie has acted as a mentor, advisor, and protector, ensuring that Erling avoided the pitfalls of early fame and made strategic transfer moves. Their bond is visible during matchdays, where Alfie is a constant presence in the stands, often reacting emotionally to Erling’s goals.

Critics sometimes point to the “Haaland camp” as being overly clinical in their career planning, but the results speak for themselves. By choosing clubs like Red Bull Salzburg and Borussia Dortmund as stepping stones, they ensured Erling had the necessary “minutes on the pitch” to develop before joining a giant like Manchester City. Alfie’s firsthand experience with the brutality of professional football has been instrumental in teaching Erling about recovery and longevity.

Education and Academy Journey

Erling Haaland attended local schools in Bryne while progressing through the Bryne FK academy system. His education was balanced with an intense multi-sport schedule; as a child, he excelled in handball, athletics, and even golf, which helped develop his coordination. He famously broke the world record for the standing long jump for five-year-olds in 2006, recording a distance of 1.63 meters.

His transition to professional football was rapid, making his senior debut for Bryne FK in the Norwegian second tier at just 15 years old. He did not score in his first 16 senior appearances, a rare fallow period that he used to learn the physical requirements of playing against grown men. This “education” on the pitch was completed when he moved to Molde FK to work under Ole Gunnar Solskjær, who taught him the nuances of finishing and positioning.

Physical Strength and Body Composition

Haaland’s physical strength is the result of a specialized “hyper-professional” lifestyle that treats his body like a high-performance machine. His muscle fiber composition is estimated to be roughly 65% fast-twitch, which accounts for his explosive acceleration over short distances. He incorporates powerlifting elements into his gym routine but focuses heavily on “functional” strength that translates to holding off defenders and generating shot power.

His body composition is monitored daily by Manchester City’s medical staff using DXA scans to ensure his muscle-to-fat ratio remains optimal. He has a unique running gait characterized by a 12-degree forward lean, which maximizes his power output during sprints. This physical profile allows him to generate over 2 tons of force in his legs when striking the ball, resulting in shot speeds that frequently exceed 90 mph.

Genetics and Athletic Heritage

The “Haaland Genetics” are often cited as the foundation of his success, combining the endurance and explosive power of his heptathlete mother with the footballing IQ and height of his father. This lineage has produced a family of athletes; his cousins Jonatan Braut Brunes and Albert Tjåland are also professional footballers with impressive scoring records. The “Braut” side of the family, in particular, is known in Norway for producing tall, powerful individuals with natural sporting ability.

Beyond mere size, Erling inherited a high VO2 max and a rapid recovery rate, allowing him to maintain high-intensity sprints late into the 90th minute. Scientists have noted that his resting heart rate is exceptionally low, and his heart rate during matches (averaging 132 BPM) is significantly lower than that of his peers. This efficiency allows him to remain calm and “cold” in high-pressure scoring situations.

Career Path: From Bryne to City

Haaland’s career path is a masterclass in incremental progression, beginning at Bryne FK (2016) before moving to Molde FK (2017-2018) for a fee of roughly €200,000. At Molde, he scored 20 goals in 50 appearances, prompting a move to Red Bull Salzburg in January 2019. It was in Austria that he became a global sensation, scoring 29 goals in 27 games, including a historic hat-trick on his Champions League debut.

In January 2020, he moved to Borussia Dortmund for €20 million, where he maintained a nearly goal-per-game ratio (86 goals in 89 games). His eventual transfer to Manchester City in July 2022 for £51.2 million was the culmination of this journey. Since joining City, he has broken nearly every Premier League scoring record, including the most goals in a single season (36) and the fastest to reach 50 goals.

Records and Achievements

As of 2026, Erling Haaland’s trophy cabinet and record list are among the most decorated for a player of his age. He was a central figure in Manchester City’s historic Treble-winning 2022/23 season, where he won the Premier League, FA Cup, and UEFA Champions League. Individually, he has won the Gerd Müller Trophy, the Premier League Golden Boot multiple times, and the UEFA Men’s Player of the Year award.

On the international stage, Haaland became Norway’s all-time leading goalscorer in October 2024, surpassing a record that had stood since 1937. He holds the record for the most goals in a single FIFA U-20 World Cup match (9 goals against Honduras in 2019). He is also the fastest player in history to reach 20, 30, and 40 Champions League goals, achieving these milestones in significantly fewer games than legends like Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo.

Diet and Nutrition Secrets

Haaland follows a strict “Old School” diet that emphasizes whole, nutrient-dense foods, famously consuming around 6,000 calories per day. He has revealed that a significant part of his diet includes organ meats, specifically cow’s heart and liver, which are rich in iron, B vitamins, and magnesium. He avoids processed sugars and industrial seed oils, preferring “real” food sourced locally whenever possible.

His hydration is equally meticulous; he drinks filtered water and “raw” milk, often adding minerals to maintain electrolyte balance. He is also a fan of “caffeine timing,” using coffee as a performance enhancer specifically before training sessions. This diet is designed to reduce inflammation and speed up muscle repair, allowing him to play two games a week at maximum intensity without the typical fatigue seen in other strikers.

Training and Recovery Routine

Haaland’s training extends far beyond the pitch, incorporating elements of biohacking and ancient wellness practices. He is a vocal advocate for meditation, often celebrating goals in a “Zen” pose to highlight the importance of mental clarity.For physical recovery, he uses cryotherapy chambers (at temperatures as low as -140°C) and contrast baths to flush out lactic acid and reduce muscle soreness.

One of his most unique habits is his focus on “circadian rhythm” and light exposure. He wears orange-tinted “blue-light blocking” glasses in the hours before bed to stimulate natural melatonin production and ensures his bedroom is kept at a precise 19°C. He also uses a hypoxic chamber (low-oxygen environment) for stationary bike sessions to improve his cardiovascular endurance and simulate high-altitude training.

Personal Life and Hobbies

Despite his global fame, Erling Haaland maintains a relatively private personal life in Manchester and Norway. He is in a long-term relationship with Isabel Haugseng Johansen, who also played football for Bryne FK; the two grew up in the same town and have been together since his time in Dortmund. Away from football, Haaland enjoys “farming life,” often seen driving tractors or cutting wood during his summer breaks in the Norwegian countryside.

His hobbies include gaming (he is a fan of Minecraft and FC 26), listening to his favorite “Champions League Anthem” playlist, and fashion. He has become a style icon, often appearing in high-fashion campaigns for brands like Dolce & Gabbana and Breitling. However, he remains deeply connected to his roots, frequently donating to local projects in Bryne and supporting the development of youth facilities in Norway.

Practical Information and Planning

For fans wishing to see Erling Haaland in action or visit his hometown, here is the essential practical information:

• Match Locations: Manchester City home games are held at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England.
• Ticket Prices: Premier League tickets typically range from £50 to £100 for standard seats, though high-demand games can be significantly more expensive on resale markets.
• Visiting Bryne: To see where it all began, fly into Stavanger Airport (SVG) and take a 30-minute train to Bryne. You can visit the Bryne FK stadium and the “Haaland Wall” mural.
• Opening Hours: The Manchester City Stadium Tour is open daily from 09:00 to 17:00, costing approximately £25-£30.
• Best Time to Visit: The football season runs from August to May. Summer (June-July) is the best time to visit Norway for hiking and seeing the “Midnight Sun.”

Frequently Asked Questions

How many goals has Erling Haaland scored in 2026? As of early 2026, Haaland has already netted over 15 goals in the first half of the 2025/26 season, continuing his trend of averaging nearly a goal per game.

Is Erling Haaland related to Alf-Inge Haaland? Yes, Erling is the son of Alf-Inge Haaland, who played for Leeds and Manchester City. Erling followed in his father’s footsteps by joining City in 2022.

What is Erling Haaland’s diet? He consumes a 6,000-calorie daily diet focused on whole foods like cow’s heart, liver, eggs, and raw milk, avoiding processed foods and sugar.

What is Erling Haaland’s top speed? Haaland has been clocked at a top speed of 36.22 km/h (22.5 mph), making him one of the fastest players in the Premier League despite his large frame.

Where was Erling Haaland born? He was born in Leeds, England, while his father was playing for Leeds United, but he moved to Norway at the age of three.

Who is Erling Haaland’s girlfriend? He is in a relationship with Isabel Haugseng Johansen, a fellow footballer from his hometown of Bryne.

Does Erling Haaland wear blue-light glasses? Yes, he wears orange-tinted glasses in the evening to block blue light from screens, which he believes improves his sleep quality and recovery.

How much does Erling Haaland weigh in 2026? He weighs approximately 88 kg (194 lbs), a weight optimized for a balance of explosive power and agility.

What is Haaland’s height in feet? He is approximately 6 feet 4 inches tall (1.94 meters).

Has Haaland won the Ballon d’Or? As of 2026, Haaland has been a perennial finalist and winner of the Gerd Müller Trophy, consistently ranking in the top three for the Ballon d’Or.

What is Haaland’s vertical jump? His vertical leap has been measured at 1.63 meters, which is comparable to top-tier NBA athletes.

Why does Haaland celebrate with a meditation pose? The “Zen” celebration reflects his commitment to mindfulness and meditation, which he uses to maintain focus and manage the pressure of elite sports.