Haaland proud after Norway's World Cup exit, shifts support to England for title

Norway's World Cup journey ended on July 11 with a 2-1 extra-time loss to England in the quarter-finals. Jude Bellingham scored both goals for the English side, sending the reigning European runners-up into the last four. Haaland, who netted seven goals in the tournament and was chasing the Golden Boot, could not add to his tally despite Norway forcing extra time.

"We put Norway on the map"

After the match, Haaland spoke in the mixed zone. He reflected on the national team's impact rather than the defeat. "The performance is one thing, beating Brazil is one thing, but the way Norway has been, how we have put Norway on the map, is perhaps what moves me the most," he said. He urged young Norwegians to dream of playing on the biggest stage with the national shirt. "I hope this shows kids back in Norway that it is possible."

The performance is one thing, beating Brazil is one thing, but the way Norway has been, how we have put Norway on the map, is perhaps what moves me the most.

Haaland declares support for England

Born in Leeds while his father played for the club, Haaland said he will cheer for England. "Of course I want England to win. As a kid I had an England shirt before a Norway one. It's a good country and a nice shirt," he explained. He also praised former Borussia Dortmund teammate Jude Bellingham. "He's a great guy, we had a lot of fun together. I'm not surprised he scored two. He gets too much criticism for not scoring enough, he doesn't deserve it. He is one of the best in the world."

Of course I want England to win. As a kid I had an England shirt before a Norway one. It's a good country and a nice shirt.

Tuchel unhappy despite reaching semi-final

England manager Thomas Tuchel was not satisfied. "The result is fantastic, being among the top four is incredible, but I am not happy with the performance. Careless, many technical errors, not fast enough, not repetitive enough. Today we were lucky," he said.

The result is fantastic, being among the top four is incredible, but I am not happy with the performance. Careless, many technical errors, not fast enough, not repetitive enough. Today we were lucky.

The 6,000-calorie diet behind the striker

Haaland's physical preparation attracted attention throughout the tournament. The 25-year-old, standing between 1.95 and 1.96 metres, consumes around 6,000 calories a day across six meals. His diet is built on fresh, local ingredients: breakfast includes coffee with raw milk, sourdough bread, eggs and honey; lunch is rice, sea bass, eggs and asparagus. Dinner features steak with potatoes and salad, often shared with his partner Isabel Haugseng Johansen. "I love food, I live to eat. No matter what happens in my day, this is the best moment," he said in a documentary. He also eats beef heart and liver regularly. "People say meat is bad, but which one? McDonald's meat or local grass-fed cow? I eat heart and liver," he explained. A smoothie of milk, kale and spinach, called his "magic potion", rounds out the routine.

I love food, I live to eat. No matter what happens in my day, this is the best moment.

Experts caution against copying

Nutrition experts quoted by Spanish media warned that the 6,000-calorie regime is tailored to an elite athlete's demands and not advisable for the general public. Sports nutritionist Saúl Sánchez said Haaland's habits appear aligned with his goals but emphasised that replicating the diet without professional oversight could be harmful. Clinical nutritionist Ximena López noted the focus on high-quality protein, carbohydrates for performance, and hydration, while pointing out that raw milk consumption remains controversial.