The secret behind Erling Haaland’s rise to greatness

Erling Haaland is currently in the most brilliant phase of his career. At 25, the Norwegian striker is not only Manchester City's goal-scoring machine but also an emblem of professionalism, discipline, and the ambition to reach perfection.

Behind that devastating form lies an intriguing story of transformation, from lifestyle and mindset to how he confronts the deepest aspects of life: happiness, loss, and even the fear of death.

From "biohacking" to the happiness of fatherhood

From a very young age, Haaland was fascinated by the idea of "body optimization." He was passionate about studying biohacking, a scientific method that helps people fully tap into their physical and mental potential. During this process, the Man City striker adopted various unique measures: drinking raw milk, eating raw liver, wearing blue-light filtering glasses at night, and even taping his mouth while sleeping to improve breathing rhythm. For Haaland, even the smallest detail in his routine can determine his performance on the pitch.

However, what helped him flourish the most did not come from science but from something very simple—becoming a father. After welcoming his first son, Haaland found the balance he had been missing: "I have never felt healthier and happier than now. Being a father taught me how to disconnect from football. When I’m at home, I only think about my family, no longer troubled by worries or pressure as before."

Haaland laughs and says he "must thank his son," because thanks to the child, he learned how to rest properly. Since becoming a father, the Norwegian striker seems to have escaped the obsession with perfection that once caused him stress. Now, Haaland returns to the pitch with a relaxed, calm mindset but still burning with desire.

And the results are truly remarkable: in just the first 12 matches of the 2025/26 season, Haaland has scored 21 goals for both Manchester City and the Norwegian national team. In the World Cup qualifier against Israel, his hat-trick helped Norway win 5-0 and officially pushed him past 50 goals for the national team in only 46 matches.

In the Champions League, Haaland became the fastest player in history to reach 50 goals with just 49 matches, far ahead of Ruud van Nistelrooy (62) and Lionel Messi (66). In the Premier League, he has also scored 94 goals in 104 matches, aiming for the fastest 100-goal record in the league and is even predicted to break Alan Shearer’s 260-goal milestone by 2030 if he maintains his current form.

Jamie Carragher once commented, "Haaland is the greatest goal scorer English football has ever witnessed." And the numbers clearly prove this claim to be well-founded.