Erling Haaland entered the new Premier League season with a sharply different look. The Manchester City striker cut off his long blonde hair before Sunday's opening match against Bournemouth, posting a video of the transformation on social media with the caption: "New season, new trim."
According to BBC Sport, the video showed Haaland looking nervous as the hairdresser made the first cut. He soon started smiling. Before committing to the buzzcut, he browsed through images of his previous hairstyles and floated some alternative options for what his new look could be.
The reaction from his inner circle was swift and varied. City teammate Jack Grealish, former manager Pep Guardiola, and Oasis guitarist Noel Gallagher all received video calls from Haaland showing off the new cut.
Gallagher kept it simple. "You look about 17 years old. It's good. Change is good," he said.
Grealish was more animated. "You look about 10 years old. That is hilarious. I can't stop looking at the front of your hair. I love it," he told Haaland.
Guardiola, who is bald, offered a different perspective. "No way. You're lucky you have hair. I would love to have it. I love it," he said.
The most pointed reaction came from Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Before making the call, Haaland acknowledged the Swedish football icon had warned him against cutting his hair. "Zlatan told me, never cut your hair, because your strength is in your hair. I'm a bit nervous. I want a buzz cut, like in the military," Haaland said. Ibrahimovic did not hide his feelings once he saw the result. "What did you do? You lost a bet or what? Block me and erase my number," Ibrahimovic said.
Haaland, 26, is set to lead City's attack on Sunday when Enzo Maresca's side host Bournemouth at 14:00 BST in their Premier League opener.
