Erling Haaland is virtually unstoppable at the moment. From beef heart and lasagne to döner pizza, his diet is as unconventional as it is effective.
There is simply no getting past Erling Haaland at this World Cup. Few players are attracting as much attention as the Norwegian striker. Terms such as "goal machine", "cyborg" (a hybrid of a biological organism and a machine), and "superstar" are used almost daily when referring to the 25-year-old. Following yesterday's Round of 16 victory over Brazil—a match Norway won in no small part thanks to Haaland—the hype has gathered even more momentum. With seven goals since the start of the tournament, he currently shares the top spot in the scoring charts with Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé.
It became clear early on that Haaland was destined to become one of the world's most feared strikers. He took his first professional steps at Norwegian club Bryne FK before moving on to Molde FK and later to FC Red Bull Salzburg. It was there, with his goals in the UEFA Champions League, that he first caught international attention. A transfer to Borussia Dortmund established him as one of Europe's most sought-after forwards before he became a prolific goalscorer and multiple title winner at Manchester City.
Anyone who assumes a high-tech laboratory is behind Haaland's physique would be mistaken. The foundation begins on his plate—and it is rarely only half full. On particularly demanding days, the Norwegian is said to consume up to 6,000 calories. Haaland enjoys eating plenty of meat—and not just premium cuts. Beef heart and beef liver are also regular fixtures on his menu. Not exactly what most people would instinctively cook after a long day at work. For Haaland, however, quality is what matters most. In his documentary Erling Haaland: The Big Decision, he explains that he prefers locally sourced produce whenever possible. For him, the important question is not whether to eat meat, but what kind of meat.
Another ritual is decidedly more down to earth: before important home matches, his father traditionally prepares lasagne. Pasta is a staple of Haaland's diet in any case. And whenever he is back home in Norway, he occasionally treats himself to a döner pizza or sweet-and-sour chicken.
Haaland is every bit as disciplined about recovery as he is about nutrition. Alcohol plays virtually no role in his daily routine. Instead, he says he drinks only filtered water and a milk drink enriched with kale—a beverage he affectionately refers to as his "magic potion."
When evening arrives, the switch is flipped. Haaland goes to bed early, wears orange-tinted blue-light-blocking glasses before going to sleep, and tracks his sleep using an Oura Ring. While others are still scrolling through social media, the Norwegian is already fast asleep.
