Erling Haaland Opens Up About Grief and Love Life

MANCHESTER, England — Erling Haaland, the Manchester City star striker, has recently shared his struggles with grief after the loss of loved ones over the past few years. In an interview with Norwegian broadcaster NRK, Haaland reflected on the deaths of his agent Mino Raiola and family friend Ivar Eggja, who passed away in September at the age of 59.

Haaland described Eggja as a close family member and friend, referring to him as ‘uncle.’ Eggja was not only the best man at Haaland’s father Alf-Inge’s wedding but also a vital support for Haaland throughout his career transitions.

“It’s difficult,” Haaland said, expressing the emotional toll of these losses. “How am I going to process it? It’s sad that he’s no longer here.” He recalled their last conversation, where Eggja encouraged him to thrive on the pitch.

In the same interview, Haaland opened up about his relationship with girlfriend Isabel Haugseng Johansen, revealing she made the first move during their time at Bryne. “She sent me a message,” Haaland said. “She was the one who checked me out. I wasn’t the one who checked her out.”

The couple, who welcomed their first child last December, have kept their relationship relatively private but have been spotted together publicly during Haaland’s time at City, celebrating the club’s successes.

This season, Haaland has started strong, scoring eight goals in six Premier League matches and becoming the fastest player to hit the 50-goal mark in Champions League history. He acknowledged that only Tottenham has managed to keep him from scoring this season.

Haaland’s vibrant personal life and impressive athletic performance continue to inspire many, as he balances the joy of fatherhood and the challenges of personal loss.