In a football era dominated by the legends Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, a new generation is now stepping into the limelight. Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland have emerged as the faces of the sport, dazzling fans across the globe. Among them, Manchester City’s Norwegian striker, Erling Haaland, is often hailed as one of the best footballers in the world. Known as a “goal machine,” Haaland instills fear into opposing defences every time he steps onto the pitch. Yet, surprisingly, football was not the only path open to him — or perhaps even his first choice. Haaland could have been a professional golfer.
Haaland’s father, Alf-Inge Haaland, exposed him to several sports from a very young age. Erling’s natural height and athleticism made him excel not only in football but also in track and field events. Remarkably, at just five years old, Haaland broke a world record in standing long jump for his age, leaping an astonishing 1.63 metres. His father even admitted that handball and tennis were also considered as potential paths for young Erling.
In an interview with Manchester City’s official website, Alf-Inge Haaland shared, “The Norwegian handball manager wanted him to play handball. I thought tennis and handball in the nearby house were quite good options.” He added, “Versatility is important. It develops different parts of the body and positively affects everything you do.”
Despite his early prowess in athletics, golf proved to be a challenge for young Haaland. His father, however, was determined to guide him towards the sport. Alf-Inge’s dream was for Erling to become a professional golfer — a goal he pursued vigorously. Speaking on the podcast The Rest Is Football with Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer, Haaland revealed, “You know, it’s really funny because my father’s biggest dream was for me to become a professional golfer. That was his greatest ambition.”
Haaland continued, “So when I was 10 years old, he forced me to start playing golf. From age 10 to 13, I played golf every week.” The father-son relationship was strict; Haaland joked about never wearing gloves while playing because his father would have scolded him.
Today, of course, Haaland’s career has taken a completely different direction. Now 25 years old, he has become one of the world’s top footballers, smashing records at Manchester City. Earlier this month, he broke the Premier League record for reaching 100 goals in the fastest time. Additionally, he holds the league’s fastest 10, 25, and 50-goal records. In this season alone, across all competitions, Haaland has scored 23 goals and provided seven assists in just 25 matches. While his father may have once dreamed of golf trophies, it’s clear that the footballing accolades of his son are more than enough to fill any parental pride.
Haaland’s story is a testament to versatility, talent, and the sometimes unexpected paths that shape sporting legends. From a potential golfing prodigy to one of football’s most fearsome forwards, the Norwegian star’s journey reminds us that greatness can come from the most surprising beginnings.