Emotional roller coaster
1 hour after England's match against Norway in the quarter-finals, Erling Haaland stepped out of the dressing room. With a high bun, flip-flops on his feet and a face clearly showing fatigue, he went to the complex to prepare for his final interview at the 2026 World Cup.
Those are moments when idols are easily seen in the most vulnerable state. People have not forgotten the image of Lionel Messi silently walking past with bewildered eyes after Argentina was eliminated from the 2010 World Cup, or Cristiano Ronaldo suppressing tears after a series of defeats with Portugal. At Atalanta, Mohamed Salah and his teammates in the Egyptian national team also left the field in shocking silence.
What about Haaland? Immediately after that, he smiled, chatted happily and described the past month as the most wonderful adventure of his life. The 1-2 defeat to England brought pain, but as of that Sunday evening, the biggest emotion that remained in him was pride.
When asked about a Haaland who scored 7 goals in his first World Cup, defeated Brazil, and jumped in global fame, he said: "It's quite great, I have to say! I feel very happy with my life. I'm enjoying it and in a good position. I mean... it's really hard to fully feel... the show or roller coaster we've been through in the past 6 weeks. Too much pressure, too many emotions. Really... unbelievable.
These are the most wonderful weeks and journeys I've ever had in my life. If we quickly review the last 40 days, it's completely crazy, the coolest thing I've ever participated in. And I think every Norwegian people really appreciate it. I hope it has connected everyone together. We should be proud... but at the same time, we also have to learn from this tournament.
Haaland shared that the World Cup experience "changed Norway... and also changed myself". Haaland did not explain in detail how it changed - he was only in the mixed zone for about 7 minutes - but he looked completely fascinated by the entire experience he had.
Experience with joy
Many players come to the World Cup with innocent eyes, full of hope and dreams, and then leave a few weeks later with a feeling of being completely crushed. This is especially true when a world-class player is portrayed as carrying the expectations of an entire nation on his lonely shoulders.
But this World Cup is different. Many of the biggest stars of the football world have shone. Haaland enjoyed it completely, bringing home the first ticket to the World Cup quarter-finals in national history.
And beyond the matches are long experiences: Going sightseeing like a real tourist in New York with his girlfriend Isabel Haugseng Johansen on a day off; visiting Times Square and Katz's Deli; playing thrill games at an amusement park in Texas; playing mischievous games with a cowboy hat in downtown Dallas - not to mention his role in the Viking-inspired "boat sailing" celebration ritual that Norwegian players and fans performed together.
Many things in modern football seem too serious. But the World Cup - Haaland's World Cup - is like... a show or a roller coaster as he said. The risk is very high, the pressure is clearly present, but he and his teammates in the Norwegian national team approached it without fear, without being frustrated and always smiling.
Some people say the "fun is the main thing" style makes Norway lack the determination to fight, but as Haaland's point of view, "the way we put Norway on the world football map is probably the thing that touches my emotions the most".
In the end, I just feel proud," he said, "I've been proud every day since we passed the qualifiers, since we set foot in America and... yes! I don't know what else to say because I think I've talked too much in America and I'm starting to get a little tired of (talking). Now is the time to go on vacation.
Haaland left the United States to enter a worthy vacation before returning to the fierce cycle of the Premier League, Champions League. If this summer of life changes Haaland's worldview about football and life, then one thing is certain that will not change is his thirst for goals.
