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

Leeds-born Erling Haaland and Norway face Thomas Tuchel’s England in tonight’s World Cup quarter-final in Miami, a 10pm kick-off. His affection for Leeds United is long established, and he has said Norway’s progress to the last eight has been a surprise.

He could have represented England, having been born in Leeds in July 2000 during father Alf-Inge’s spell with the club. While at RB Salzburg, he said his dream was to win the Premier League with Leeds and to surpass his dad, including earning more caps.

With 54 caps and 62 goals, he has already cleared that target. He is third in the World Cup Golden Boot race on seven, one behind Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe.

After scoring twice in Manchester City’s 3-1 win at Elland Road in 2022, he kept his celebration muted out of respect. “It was planned. I didn't feel like cheering. I have respect for Leeds, where I was born,” he told VG.

He later appeared to make a Leeds salute after scoring against Galatasaray in January’s Champions League, nearly 26 years after the deaths of Christopher Loftus and Kevin Speight in Istanbul, Türkiye. After May’s FA Cup final win, he replied to a fan’s “Leeds, Leeds, Leeds” with “til we die”.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk