Norway’s striker Erling Haaland spent his summer in the United States playing in the World Cup, and returned home with a unique souvenir. The 25-year-old soccer star made headlines when he was photographed carrying a taxidermy raccoon holding an empty liquor bottle when getting off a plane at Oslo’s Gardermoen Airport on July 13.
Local Connection
The taxidermy raccoon was purchased during his visit to Wild Bill’s Western Store in Dallas, according to the local store. On their Instagram story, they shared Haaland’s photo and commented, ‘We know that raccoon! so cool seeing our little raccoon made it to Norway.’ Haaland filmed his visit to the store and shared the experience in a July 3 YouTube video he titled ‘Norway’s Texas Takeover.’ The 10-minute vlog shows the athlete trying on a variety of western wear, including boots and hats.
Haaland, who became an online sensation for U.S. World Cup viewers, couldn’t believe how welcoming everyone was. ‘Unbelievable, so nice. I’m coming back here,’ he said. ‘People are so nice here. So positive. Don’t know what it is, they’re… enjoying life. It’s amazing.’ Since Haaland’s visit, sales from Wild Bill’s have skyrocketed. The store has even begun to offer international shipping for the first time in its history, owner Julie Newport told The Athletic.
Original reporting: Dallas TX News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
