Norway's King Harald V died at age 89, and among the tributes that followed was a personal message from Manchester City striker Erling Haaland, who had met the king just weeks earlier at the Royal Palace in Oslo.
According to Yahoo Sports, the meeting took place after Norway's national team returned from the World Cup. Haaland and Norway captain Martin Ødegaard were received at the palace by King Harald V, Crown Prince Haakon, Princess Ingrid Alexandra, and Prince Sverre Magnus. Crown Princess Mette-Marit was absent, still recovering from a lung transplant she underwent in June.
"Rest in peace, King Harald. Thank you for everything you have meant to Norway. It was an honor to meet you," Haaland wrote on social media.
Ødegaard also posted a tribute. "Thank you for everything you meant to Norway. A wonderful king and a wonderful man whom we all felt a close connection to. Rest in peace, dear King Harald."
The flag above the Royal Palace has been lowered to half-staff. Norway's football federation postponed matches as a mark of respect. Royal houses from across Europe sent condolences to the Norwegian royal family.
The royal family had been closely connected to the national team throughout the World Cup. Norway reached the final, and although the team did not win, the run generated widespread pride across the country. Crown Prince Haakon participated in the team's celebrations, beating a drum and joining in the traditional Viking rowing celebration during the festivities.
One moment from the tournament had already gone viral before the king's death. After Norway defeated Brazil in the round of 16, Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus went down to the locker room to congratulate the players. Both enthusiastically embraced Haaland, who happened to be shirtless at the time. The moment spread quickly online.
Haaland had been one of the more visible personalities of the tournament, known during the World Cup for what the report described as his spontaneity and down-to-earth manner. He brought that same personality into his visit to the Royal Palace.
