Erling Haaland is the World Cup sensation that refuses to be kept on the sidelines – off it at least! The Norwegian striker, who's still in contention for the Golden Boot, has been crowned the tournament's most viral player, and his social media stardom shows no signs of slowing down. With over 14,000 combined posts using #Haaland and #ErlingHaaland, this young footballer is making waves beyond the pitch.
Data from the first week of July revealed a staggering 300% increase in 'Haaland' searches on TikTok, catapulting him into the UK's top 10 platform searches. And it's not just the numbers that are impressive – his content has fans flocking to their screens for more. Whether he's joking about a flight with no amenities or going undercover as Santa Claus in Manchester, Haaland's off-pitch antics have captured the imagination of audiences worldwide.
With over 683 million views on Reels since the tournament began, Haaland's Instagram following has surged from 40 million to 60 million – making him the fastest-growing major player. And it's not just his own content that's getting attention; fans are also sharing their own #Haaland memes and moments, with over 1.4 million posts across social media.
But what sets Haaland apart from other football stars is the way he connects with fans on a more personal level. His light-hearted stories, like swapping his Viking helmet for a cowboy hat in Texas, have fans giggling and engaging with him like never before. And let's not forget his displays of sportsmanship – that clip of him folding a jersey for a kit man? Pure class.
Haaland's friendship with Jude Bellingham has also stolen the spotlight, with their bond likened to a 'heated rivalry' between hockey players from HBO's hit show. And it seems this unlikely duo is winning over fans – Bellingham's TikTok presence has surged to 1.3 million posts, eclipsing even England captain Harry Kane's following of 277,600.