Norwegian soccer star Erling Haaland has become an unlikely hero in China, where fans have fallen in love with his skills on the field and his charming personality off it.
A Social Media Sensation
Haaland, who plays for Manchester City, has amassed 5.8 million followers on Douyin, China’s version of TikTok, since launching his official account just over a month ago.
Chinese social media users have created a plethora of memes and videos featuring Haaland, showcasing his impressive goals and funny moments off the pitch.
A New Kind of Soccer Hero
Haaland’s popularity in China is a departure from the usual admiration for global soccer stars like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
According to fans, Haaland’s down-to-earth personality and passion for the sport have made him more relatable and endearing to Chinese fans.
‘He plays football purely because he loves it and dreams of it,’ said Gum Li, a 34-year-old fan from Guangdong province.
Haaland’s partner, Isabel Haugseng Johansen, has also gained a following on Douyin, with around 350,000 followers.
Original reporting: Dallas TX News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
