What Haaland has said about Leeds as England await Norway | OneFootball

Leeds-born Erling Haaland and Norway face England in the World Cup quarter-final in Miami tonight, a 10pm kick-off for Thomas Tuchel’s side. His affection for Leeds United and the English game is well known.

Haaland has said Norway’s run to the last eight has surprised him. Born in Leeds in July 2000 during Alf-Inge’s time at Elland Road, his attachment to United is long-standing.

While at RB Salzburg he said his ultimate dream was to win the Premier League with Leeds and to surpass his father, including more caps. He now has 54 caps and 62 goals for Norway and is third in the World Cup Golden Boot race on 7, one behind Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe.

After scoring twice in Manchester City’s 3-1 win at Elland Road in 2022, he kept celebrations muted. “I didn't feel like cheering. I have respect for Leeds, where I was born,” he told VG, adding that his parents were in the stands and the occasion was special.

He has three goals against Leeds in his club career. After a deft chip against Galatasaray in the Champions League, his celebration appeared to feature a Leeds salute, with TNT Sports sharing the clip. That came nearly 26 years after Leeds fans Christopher Loftus and Kevin Speight were fatally stabbed in Istanbul before the UEFA Cup semi-final first leg.

Collecting his FA Cup winners’ medal in May, he smiled at a supporter chanting Leeds and said “til we die”. “Erling Haaland is a Leeds fan, yeah. He is. He is a massive Leeds fan as well,” Kalvin Phillips told BBC Radio 5 Live in 2022.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk