THE son of Manchester City legend Alf-Inge Haaland and Norwegian national heptathlete champion Gry Marita, Erling Haaland was genetically programmed to be a sporting cyborg. The Borussia Dortmund star, 19, has gone from unknown striker in Norway to the most-sought-after footballer in a generation with his lethal touch in front of goal. Haaland has scored […]
THE son of Manchester City legend Alf-Inge Haaland and Norwegian national heptathlete champion Gry Marita, Erling Haaland was genetically programmed to be a sporting cyborg.
The Borussia Dortmund star, 19, has gone from unknown striker in Norway to the most-sought-after footballer in a generation with his lethal touch in front of goal.
Haaland has scored 41 goals this season in spells at Red Bull Salzburg and Dortmund, following his bargain £18.5million January move.
He’s now worth ten times that figure, with the likes of Real Madrid desperately pursuing the forward.
And there’s little wonder as to why, as Haaland has scored more goals this season than the 38 Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema, Eden Hazard and Vinicius Jr have totted up between them.
Still only a teenager, Haaland has gone from a skinny kid in his home nation to 6ft 4in giant with great strength and electric pace.
His eye for goal isn’t half bad, either…
But it’s his incredible physique, which belies his years, that has seen him shoot to the top of world football.
Former physical coach Erase Steenslid admitted genetics play a huge part in Haaland’s success – but revealed he works as hard as anybody.
Steenslid told AS: “His body responds so well to training because his genetics are privileged.
“He gained twelve kilos of muscle in fifteen months. It was crazy. We built his muscle from scratch.”
But it wasn’t just hard work that helped Haaland – it was his love of food that help him break down barriers… literally.
Steenslid continued: “He was always the closest to the buffet and his plate was literally a mountain of food.
“I designed a circuit for him where at one of the stations he had to hit a sack… and one day he split it in half.”
With elite genetics, a strong love of food and a tremendous work ethic, it’s seems clear now why Haaland is destined for greatness.
In fact, in 2006 Haaland broke the standing long jump record for the Under-5 age group with a leap of 1.63m. Not the national, but the WORLD record.
But another former coach, Alf-Ingve Berntsen – who worked with him for eight years at first club Bryne – even tipped him for a spot in the Norway international set-up when he was just 13.
The Dortmund star’s former coach added: “At 13 years old I already saw that this kid was going to make the Norwegian national team.
“He has a very special work ethic and tactical sense.”
Of course, as with the career of any professional sportsperson, it wasn’t always easy for Haaland – as the goals dried up at Molde for a brief period.
Haaland himself revealed he couldn’t hit a barn door with a banjo for a while – and is indebted to then-boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for helping him rediscover his lethal touch.
The former Red Bull Salzburg ace recalled one particular game – with his Molde side taking on Brann – where Solskjaer changed the course of his future with some top tips.
Earlier this year, Haaland revealed: “Before that game, Solskjaer and I did some practice on finishing.
“Not just crosses. I remember he taught me some easy rules. That was something he taught me in the days before that game.
“He has taught me a lot to be calm, and also be on your toes and come to those situation where the ball is coming.
“It is then you have the chance to score. He deserves a lot of credit for teaching me that.”
Haaland went on to score FOUR times in the opening 20 minutes of that fateful game against Brann…
And that has become his bread and butter, scoring goals for fun and leaving defences utterly dumbfounded.
But even then there was work to be done, with Haaland using a 360-degree “Soccerbot” machine to boost his cognitive skills.
So obsessed was Haaland with improving – Cristiano Ronaldo-esque in his determination to be his best self – he risked serious injury.
Yet another former coach, Salzburg boss Jesse Marsch, admitted he would have to force him from over-training, sending him home to rest.
There, Haaland would meditate – much like his now famous celebration – and wear special glasses to filter blue light from TV and phone screens.
That, in turn, helped him sleep more deeply and allow his muscles to rest and repair overnight.
Dad Alf-Inge also revealed Erling follows Ronaldo’s lead in eating properly, treating his body like a temple.
Despite his favourite food being a “pizza kebab”, Haaland is strict on himself and ensures he is in top shape – ultimately realising the career of a pro sportsperson is short.
Haaland not only has the genetic material to be a star, he has the mentality to match.
But Steenslid doesn’t want to see his former protege rest on his laurels.
He said: “His physique impresses but he can still improve it.”
Now there’s a terrifying thought…
