Crutches, a luxury car left behind, and a moment of mystery—what else is going on in Erling Haaland’s world?
FORGET MESSI, HE IS THE RICHEST FOOTBALLER
Erling Haaland is no stranger to the spotlight. Whether he's netting a hattrick or closing multimillion-pound deals, the Norwegian striker has made headlines his second home. But this time, it wasn’t a celebratory sprint down the pitch that grabbed attention. It was the sight of him hobbling off, crutches underarm.
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Erling Haaland’s recent injury: What happened at the FA Cup match
Manchester City’s FA Cup quarter-final against Bournemouth didn’t just end with a victory—it also came with a blow. Erling Haaland was forced off the pitch in the 61st minute after scoring the equaliser with what has been reported as a possible injury to his ankle. Shortly after the match, he was seen leaving the Vitality Stadium on crutches and wearing a protective boot.
As reported by The Sun, Pep Guardiola, City’s manager, admitted he wasn’t sure about the extent of the injury:
I don’t know yet. I saw him on the massage table but I didn’t speak with him or the doctors. We will have to see.
Despite Haaland’s exit, City managed to pull through with a 2-1 win thanks to Omar Marmoush, who stepped in. The team now advances to face Nottingham Forest at Wembley in the semi-finals.
As fans hope of his quick recovery, let's take a look at Haaland's world beyond the football field. He’s a man of massive goals and even bigger paydays, but he’s also just stepped into a brand-new role: fatherhood.
Erling Haaland’s incredible salary as Man City’s top earner
While questions surround his recovery, one thing is certain—Haaland won’t be worrying about his paychecks during downtime. Manchester City have faced a challenging 2024-25 season and amid this turbulence, Haaland has remained a bright spot.
His consistent performance was rewarded with a renewed contract, keeping him at the Etihad until 2034 and making him the club’s highest-paid player, according to GOAL.
Under his current contract, he earns a jaw-dropping £525,000 ($663,000) a week, amounting to more than £27 million ($34 million) annually.
This financial figure places him well above other City stars like Kevin De Bruyne and Jack Grealish. In fact, Haaland sits at the top not just within his club but across the entire Premier League. Even so, he doesn’t break into the top five highest-paid players in world football.
That elite list is dominated by Saudi league stars, with Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Riyad Mahrez leading the way.
His girlfriend and new role as a father
Away from the pitch and the paycheques, Haaland has been embracing big changes in his personal life. In December 2024, he became a father for the first time. As reported by Daily Mail, the news was revealed accidentally by Pep Guardiola after a post-match victory against Leicester. He said:
Sometimes Erling has been judged badly but it's part of football. He's tired, he's played a lot of minutes.
He's become a father for the first time in the last few days, a lot of emotions and an exciting few days for him.
His partner, Isabel Haugseng Johansen, is a 21-year-old footballer herself and works part-time at a fashion store. The couple met while playing for the youth academy at Bryne FK in Norway. Their relationship began while Haaland was at Borussia Dortmund and has remained largely private ever since.
According to The Sun, a source shared:
[Their relationship] seems to be pretty serious.
Isabel has travelled to Germany and England to see Erling and now she’s been with him [on holiday]. Isabel is well known for her beauty in Bryne. They’ve always known each other.
The pair welcomed a baby boy in December 2024, although the name has not yet been made public. While celebrating becoming Norway’s all-time leading goalscorer after a 3-0 victory over Slovenia in October 2024, Haaland tucked the match ball under his shirt and put his thumb in his mouth—a clear nod to the fact he was soon to become a father, as reported by Daily Mail.
From quiet dinners at The Ivy to red carpet appearances at the Ballon d’Or, the couple has gradually stepped into the public eye. Yet, they continue to lead a relatively low-profile life, contrasting with the high-octane world of Premier League football.
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Sources used:
The Sun: Erling Haaland’s £350k green Aston Martin collected from airport by Man City official after star leaves on crutches
GOAL: Erling Haaland salary: How much does Manchester City star earn per week and annually in the Premier League?
The Sun: Who is Erling Haaland’s girlfriend Isabel Haugseng Johansen and do the pair have children?
Daily Mail: Erling Haaland becomes a dad for the first time after partner Isabel Haugseng Johansen gives birth - as Pep Guardiola accidentally reveals the big news!