Erling Haaland cuts trademark blonde hair into buzzcut ahead of new season
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland revealed his shaved hairstyle in a seven-minute video on 23 August 2026, keeping the transformation secret from his family until publication.
The styling reveal and video
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland unveiled a complete change of appearance on 23 August 2026, parting with the long blonde hair that served as his visual trademark throughout his professional career. The 26-year-old Norwegian international shared the transformation across social media platforms through both video and photography formats. On YouTube, Haaland released a nearly seven-minute video detailing the full haircut process from start to finish. On Instagram, he posted a video featuring a quick transition between his traditional long locks and a shaved buzz cut, accompanied by a multi-photo gallery showing his hair disappearing strand by strand. In the opening frame of the gallery, Haaland posed with a smirk reminiscent of the fictional character Draco Malfoy, before showing the progressive stages leading to a military-style crop.
Timing and seasonal renewal
Haaland accompanied his posts with the captions "Short hair don't care" and "New season, new cut," explaining that the haircut had been planned for several months. He revealed that he originally intended to cut his hair immediately following the World Cup, but deferred the decision because of a crowded schedule. Haaland described the emotional process of letting go of his long hair during the video.
This beautiful blonde hair. It is time to let go.
He linked the visual change directly to the start of Manchester City's new Premier League campaign, noting that the timing offered an opportunity for renewal.
Now the new season begins, so it is time to dare a fresh start in all areas.
Haaland kept the haircut secret from his closest relatives prior to the public release, confirming that neither his parents nor his sister were informed beforehand.
Teammate and fan reactions
The transformation generated immediate engagement across digital platforms, accumulating more than 35,000 comments on Instagram within roughly one hour of publication. Former Borussia Dortmund teammate Jude Bellingham responded publicly to the post with the phrase "No Way." Followers reacted with mixed opinions, with some approving of the change with comments such as "nice," while others expressed open disbelief. Skeptical remarks under the post included questions such as "Are you serious?" and "Seriously? But why?" Other users reacted with dismay, writing "That is so sad," "I wish this were AI," and "Oh god, who is that?"
- Haaland decides to cut his hair but postpones the change due to a crowded schedule.
- Haaland releases a seven-minute makeover video and photo gallery revealing his buzzcut.
- The Instagram announcement exceeds 35,000 comments, including a reply from Jude Bellingham.
On-pitch style and public profile
Haaland's long blonde hair had been one of his defining physical features for several years across domestic and international competition. During matches for Manchester City and the Norwegian national team, the forward routinely wore his hair tied into a ponytail, bun, or arranged in braids. His public profile expanded significantly during the World Cup, leading to cultural developments such as hundreds of newborn babies in Peru being named in his honour. Regarded by observers as an emerging style icon, the forward regularly attracts attention for his personal aesthetic and lifestyle moments. These off-pitch episodes include previous viral clips where Haaland drove golf balls into the sea from the deck of a luxury yacht.
