Erling Haaland is becoming as big of a star off the pitch as he is on it. From trying a New York deli sandwich to getting a custom cowboy hat made, Haaland has taken advantage of everything the United States has to offer.
Haaland’s growing off-pitch persona has caught the attention of three-time Super Bowl champion Julian Edelman, largely because he reminds him of one of his former teammates.
“This dude is full, European Gronk,” Edelman said on Yahoo Sports Daily. “He’s European Gen Z Gronk.”
Rob Gronkowski, or “Gronk,” is a similarly big personality off the field, to put it lightly. He’s done everything from extreme stunts, like rappelling down a five-story building on FOX NFL Sunday’s veterans broadcast, to being the life of the party in the Indy 500 Snake Pit.
On top of his stunts, Gronk was a star on the field, winning four Super Bowls in his 11-year NFL career. Haaland, meanwhile, has won two Premier League titles and a Champions League title since joinin Manchester City in July 2022.
Haaland might have some work to do before he reaches Gronk status on or off the field, but there’s no denying he’s caught the attention of World Cup fans everywhere.
“I love him getting on Snapchat after the games and answering fans, doing goofy stuff, putting cowboy boots on,” Edelman said of Haaland. “It’s been really fun watching these guys come in and enjoy the United States.”
Through five games, Haaland has scored seven goals for Norway, including a brace in its win over Brazil to secure a spot in its first-ever quarterfinals. Haaland and Norway will play its quarterfinal match against England on Saturday at Miami Stadium with kick off at 5 p.m. ET on FOX and FOX One.