Soccer
World Cup hero Haaland returns to Norway with unique souvenir
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After winning a new legion of fans in the USA, Erling Haaland returned home from the World Cup with a unique souvenir tucked under his arm.
Norway’s adventure in North America came to an end with a 2-1 defeat to England in the quarter-finals.
But Haaland, who bagged seven goals in five appearances at the tournament, won hearts galore by fully embracing American culture along the way.
Hours after scoring his side’s winner in the last-32 clash against Ivory Coast, he went shopping at Wild Bill’s Western Store in Dallas for cowboy hats, boots and, believe it or not, a stuffed raccoon.
Filming the excursion for his YouTube channel, the Norway striker notched 6.5 million views in less than a week.
“It's a good thing because I like the Americans,” he said, reflecting on his popularity Stateside. “I think they are kind of hilarious as well.
“They are funny, so I like the way they are. I like to joke a little bit, I like to have fun.
“I think that's a key for my daily life to joke around and, of course, train good, focus well and prepare well.
“But you also need to joke around and enjoy the moment. We have to enjoy it because nothing lasts forever."
Despite his growing reputation as Norway’s joker in the pack, no one expected the Manchester City star to step off the plane clutching a taxidermy animal.
The rare gift, which is worth £560, is officially known as a Whiskey Raccoon H-MT-F.
So while Haaland, 25, may not have got his hands on the World Cup, he picked up the perfect off-the-wall memento to cap an unforgettable experience.
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