Born in Leeds, made in Norway – the rise of Erling Haaland

Werner100359 / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)

Typically, being born in a foreign country and spending your early years away from home might seem a little bit daunting for someone aspiring to become a professional soccer player. Borussia Dortmund's teenage sensation Erling Haaland is a perfect example of how challenging family circumstances do not prevent you from achieving greatness.

In July 2000, the Norwegian striker spent his early childhood years on foreign soil before Haaland’s family decided to return to their homeland. Haaland first got involved in soccer at the age of five.

His dad, Alf Inge Haaland, took him to the local soccer academy in his hometown Bryne where he impressed straight away. Haaland Jr. was so much better than everyone else of his age group that the Bryne youth coach Alf Berntsen decided to pull him up the ranks to train with a year older group.

Haaland’s debut game for Bryne’s first team came in May 2016 at 15. Although he failed to score in all 16 matches for the club, Haaland attracted the interest from Norway’s top division side, Molde.

In his first Eliteserien season, Haaland made 20 appearances and scored four goals for Molde before making a real breakthrough the following year. His four goals in 21 minutes against the league leaders Brann captured the attention from the like of Leeds United. Haaland finished the season as Molde’s top scorer with 14 goals in his tally before departing to Red Bull Salzburg. After arriving in Austria, Haaland did not take long to burst onto the scene. The Norwegian wunderkind scored 15 goals in his first eight appearances for Salzburg – three of which were hat-tricks.

The tipping point of Haaland’s short but already sensational career was the participation in the Champions League. The Norwegian became the first-ever under-20 player to score in five consecutive Champions League matches.

It was only a matter of time until somebody from the ‘big boys’ club would snap up the Norwegian talent. Surprisingly or not, it was Borussia Dortmund who offered around $23 million to land their target. Haaland instantly shocked the football world by scoring a hat-trick on his debut in just 23 minutes, adding another ten goals in the next 12 matches.

All in all, according to his father and youth coaches, it was Haaland’s fearless and stubborn mentality that made him the player and the person he is now.

Confident in his ability and willingness to do whatever it takes - Erling Braut Haaland is an example for everyone to follow.