Erling Haaland’s New Haircut Sparks Comparisons To Biblical Hero Samson
Erling Haaland takes a break during Norway’s 2026 World Cup game against Morocco. (Wikipedia Commons photo)
Only 11% of Norwegians read the Bible every day. While those numbers have grown in recent years, it remains relatively low.
One of those Norwegians who should have read up on Scripture this summer is soccer star Erling Haaland.
The Manchester City striker — long one the game’s most recognizable figures — went for a new look ahead of Sunday’s Premier League opening game against Bournemouth. Gone were his long blond locks. Instead, Haaland chopped off his hair for a buzz cut.
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The Norwegian forward has become almost as famous for his distinctive blond hair as for his extraordinary goalscoring record. His latest look, however, has prompted a familiar comparison: The biblical figure Samson, whose legendary strength was famously linked to his long hair.
In the Book of Judges, Samson is described as possessing extraordinary physical strength, while his uncut hair is presented as a symbol of his devotion and a source of his power. According to the Bible story, Samson’s enemies eventually discovered the secret of his strength and had his hair cut while he slept, leaving him vulnerable.
That story has made hair a particularly enduring symbol in popular culture and Haaland’s new look — and inability to score a goals this past weekend — has provided soccer pundits and fans with an easy modern parallel. The striker’s powerful physique, blond hair and imposing presence on the field have made the comparison especially tempting.
The 26-year-old Haaland, who became a global sensation at this summer’s World Cup following his exploits with Norway, has established himself as one of the strongest strikers of his generation thanks to a combination of physical power, acceleration and a knack for finding space in the penalty box.
Haaland had considered cutting his hair after the World Cup, where he scored seven goals as Norway reached the quarterfinals. In a video documenting the haircut, he described the new season as a “fresh start” — but admitted the Samson warning had left him nervous.
The unnamed hairdresser who shaved off Haaland’s flowing long hair admitted: “I’m a little bit stressed. It’s not a usual job.”
Haaland’s agent Rafaela Pimenta was also visibly anxious, calling it “the most expensive haircut of all time” before a strand had been shed.
Haaland’s girlfriend Isabel Haugseng Johansen said, “I think I will cry.”
While the cost of the haircut was not revealed, the price of doing it may be a bigger one should Haaland have a bad season.
In fact, whatever hairstyle he sticks with, Haaland’s ability to score goals has remained the defining feature of his career. Except for this Sunday. He had five shots on goals – two of them on target – but failed to find the back of the net.
The comparisons between Samson and athletes is nothing new. The Athletic documented a series of past incidents where notable athletes cut their hair, then noticed a change in performance.
Erling Haaland and his girlfriend Isabel Haugseng Johansen. (Photo courtesy of Instagram/@isabellaa)
Sports has always been a fertile place for superstition. Players become associated with particular footwear, celebrations, shirts – and yes, hairstyles – that even small changes to their appearance can unleash speculation.
Haaland has never expressed religious beliefs of any kind publicly during his career, but he has been photographed in the past wearing a rosary, which unleased much speculation across the internet just last month.
Haaland has embraced that attention throughout his career. His hairstyles have ranged from his trademark long hair, often tied back into a man bun during matches, to shorter and more experimental looks. Each change tends to generate discussion on social media, where images of the striker can quickly become memes.
For Manchester City fans, the more important question is not how much Haaland resembles an ancient biblical hero. It’s whether he continues to do what he has done throughout his career: Score goals at an extraordinary rate once again this season.
Clemente Lisi serves as executive editor at Religion Unplugged.