Erling Haaland, during a rare press conference on international duty with Norway, provided a glimpse into his direct and no-nonsense approach to media interactions. As Norway’s captain in the absence of Martin Odegaard, Haaland delivered sharp responses and was in no mood for unnecessary pleasantries.
Taking on the media with the same determination he brings to the pitch, Haaland made it clear he would “be himself” when wearing the captain’s armband, setting the tone for his interactions. When asked about his role as captain, he shot back at journalists, saying he’d answer questions if they were “interesting.” He also dismissed suggestions that he lacked commitment to Norway’s national team, asserting that those claims should be buried.
Haaland expressed concern over the increasing number of matches in the football calendar, echoing previous complaints from his Manchester City teammate Rodri. He remarked on the growing fatigue caused by the congested schedule, noting the Premier League’s now-defunct winter break and suggesting that the volume of games is becoming overwhelming.
Haaland’s press conference wasn’t all business, though. He offered a lighter moment when discussing his diet, teasing the media that he probably made better dietary decisions than they did, especially on weekends. However, the most personal moment came when he reflected on the death of a close family friend, which put life and football into perspective for him. He shared, “It was a heavy and tough time, but… Circle of life.”
Throughout the press conference, Haaland remained guarded yet insightful, showing a side of him that the public rarely sees off the field.
