Erling Haaland left fans stunned after admitting he slept with his 'five girlfriends', but there was a surprising twist
Erling Haaland is famous for ripping open defences and scoring goals but one of his most memorable headlines had nothing to do with football. Well before the Norwegian striker became one of the world’s biggest stars, he cracked a joke about having “five girlfriends” that left fans stunned. Years later, that odd comment keeps coming back, a reminder of the fun-loving character behind one of football's most feared forwards.Erling Haaland’s ‘five girlfriends’ comment had a very surprising meaningBack in 2019, Haaland was having a breakthrough season with Red Bull Salzburg.
The teenage striker was scoring at an incredible rate, collecting match balls after every hat-trick and rapidly becoming one of Europe’s brightest young prospects.During that remarkable campaign, he delivered a quote that instantly grabbed attention.Speaking to Norwegian outlet Dagbladet, Haaland said, "I sleep with the five balls that I have for each hat-trick I scored.
I lie in bed and I feel good with them. I look at them every day. They are my girlfriends."At first glance, the statement left many wondering whether the young striker was joking about his personal life. The truth, however, was much simpler.The "five girlfriends" were actually the five footballs he had collected after scoring hat-tricks.
For Haaland, each ball represented a major milestone in his rapid rise through European football. Rather than a comment about relationships, it reflected his obsession with goals, improvement and preserving memories from special performances.That quirky confession quickly became one of the most memorable quotes of his early career.
It also offered fans a glimpse into the mindset that has helped shape one of football's most relentless goalscorers.Around the same period, Haaland scored 28 goals in just 22 appearances for Salzburg, performances that soon attracted interest from many of Europe's biggest clubs.Erling Haaland's football obsession paved the way for global successThe striker’s strange attachment to his match balls was representative of the devotion that has defined his career.Erling Haaland continued to shatter records following his move to Borussia Dortmund before a lucrative transfer to Manchester City in 2022.
He became one of the continent’s top forwards during his time in Germany, but his growing profile also meant he was a regular in the headlines.Former Borussia Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl later reflected on that period, saying Haaland had become "a certain burden in the dressing room" because so much outside attention revolved around him.
Kehl explained that discussions about the Norwegian often overshadowed other important issues at the club, making his eventual departure the right outcome for both sides.Since arriving at Manchester City, Haaland has only strengthened his reputation. He has won major trophies, broken Premier League scoring records and signed a long-term contract that reportedly makes him the league's highest-paid player.Away from football, his real-life love story has also flourished.
Haaland has been in a long-term relationship with childhood friend Isabel Haugseng Johansen. The couple, who grew up in the same Norwegian town, now share a son together.Haaland has been as successful financially as he has been in football. Reports estimate his net worth to be around $80 million, thanks to lucrative sponsorships with global brands as well as his huge salary at Manchester City.Even with the trophies, endorsements and global fame, Haaland’s “five girlfriends” comment remains one of the more memorable moments of his career.
It captured the spirit of a young footballer whose love was never in question. Before he became a global superstar, his biggest obsession was always scoring goals, a hat-trick at a time.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.