Zlatan horrified by Erling Haaland’s new haircut: “What have you done
When a 24-year-old footballer decides to part with one of his most recognisable features, the reaction is never long in coming. Erling Haaland’s haircut, unveiled on Sunday 23 August 2026, triggered a wave of comments across social media, and an unforgettable response from one of football’s all-time legends.
A radical transformation to kick off the season
Until now, Erling Haaland was easy to spot on the pitch: his towering 1.95 m frame and flowing blond mane made him an unmistakable silhouette in the English top flight, playing for Manchester City. Yet the Norwegian striker chose to change everything in one fell swoop. In place of those famous locks, he now sports an almost shaved cut that, according to observers, takes years off him.
The player shared the news with his fans via his YouTube channel and Instagram account. In the video, he explains that he had been meaning to sort out his hair after the World Cup, but his packed schedule had kept getting in the way. He decided the start of the new season was the perfect moment to take the plunge, a deliberate choice, even if he admitted, with a shy smile, that he had not warned his mother before going through with it.
Fans divided over Erling Haaland’s new haircut
The public reaction was immediate. While some fans praised the result and embraced the new look, others made their dismay known in no uncertain terms. Comments such as “Noooooo Haaland!”, “What have you done?” and “This can’t be real!” quickly flooded the comment sections. For many, the long blond hair had been an integral part of the player’s identity.
Erling Haaland’s new haircut proved divisive, as is so often the case when a public figure radically changes their appearance. But beyond the fans, it was the reaction of one Zlatan Ibrahimović that stole the show.
Zlatan Ibrahimović: between horror and humour
Even before sitting down in the barber’s chair, Haaland knew this decision would not go down well with everyone. He had, after all, received very clear advice from the former PSG striker: never cut his hair, because that was where his strength lay. A knowing nod to the biblical legend of Samson, which the Norwegian brought up with a hint of nerves before making the video call.
Zlatan Ibrahimović’s reaction did not disappoint. Confronted with Erling Haaland’s haircut, the former player expressed his horror without holding back: “Oh my God, what have you done? Did you lose a bet? Block me and delete my number.” He then added, in a more amused tone, that even his wife thought the decision was crazy, and asked Haaland whether he expected to run faster with his new look. “I hope so,” replied the striker, laconically.
- Erling Haaland unveiled his haircut on 23 August 2026 on YouTube and Instagram.
- He had previously been known for his towering 1.95 m frame and highly recognisable long blond mane.
- Zlatan Ibrahimović had advised him never to cut his hair.
- Zlatan’s reaction was immediate: shock, followed by humour.
- The player’s partner, initially stunned, ultimately found the result “cute”.
His partner’s reaction: a relief for Haaland
Among the people close to him whose reactions the player revealed, his partner Isabel Haugseng Johansen held a special place. The woman who shares the Norwegian striker’s life initially appeared shocked by the transformation. Yet after a moment of adjustment, she described Erling Haaland as “cute” with short hair, a verdict that visibly put the player at ease, especially given that he had also forgotten to warn his mother before making the change.
Because at its heart, Erling Haaland’s haircut is about more than just his public image. It touches his inner circle too, and his partner’s seal of approval seems to have mattered just as much as the thousands of comments online. Whether it divides or delights, the Norwegian’s transformation marks a new chapter as one of European football’s most closely watched strikers heads into the season ahead.
