Erling Haaland changes name on Norway shirt

The striker will go as Braut Haaland on his back.

Erling Haaland has altered the name on the back of his Norwegian national team shirt, adhering to a long-standing tradition that many people in his own country have adopted.

Haaland, 25, will now write ‘Braut Haaland’ instead of ‘Haaland’ on his number nine shirt, adding his middle name.

On Instagram, Haaland goes by his entire name. He was well-known as Erling Braut Haaland when he first made his debut in 2019 after scoring nine goals for his nation at the U20 World Cup.

In Norway, it’s normal to use both one’s mother’s and father’s last names. Erling’s father, Alfie, competed for the Cityzens for three years, from 2000 to 2003.

Norway manager Stale Solbakken said: “That’s his name [Braut], it’s no longer that difficult. I knew nothing of it until now.”

Alfie’s accomplishments will live on in the memories of football fans, but Erling’s mother also achieved success in sports.

In the 1990s, Gry Marita Braut was a well-known Norwegian heptathlete champion who competed in the 100-meter hurdles, high jump, shot-put, 200-meter, long-jump, javelin, and 800-meter events.

Before playing Moldova in a World Cup qualifying match on September 9, Norway’s upcoming game is a friendly match against Finland on September 4.

With a maximum of 12 points from their four games thus far, Haaland’s national team lead their group and are the frontrunner for a 2026 FIFA World Cup berth currently.

Off the field, Haaland has expanded his collection of cars. Last month, he was spotted driving a brand-new Ford Shelby F-150 truck out of the club’s Etihad Campus.

The truck’s five-litre V8 engine can go from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 3.4 seconds. It expands the sizable collection of automobiles Haaland has acquired since joining Manchester City from Borussia Dortmund in 2022.

For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Telegram.