Erling Haaland cut his hair off and some people are losing it: 'The Viking era is over'

If you've been wondering what hijinks Erling Haaland has been up to since the World Cup ended — perhaps buying more taxidermy raccoons or working on his robot moves — well, his latest antic involves an attention-grabbing haircut.

"Short hair don't care," the Norwegian soccer star and summer internet darling posted to his 76.9 million Instagram followers Sunday, alongside photos of a new buzz cut.

"New season, new trim," Haaland wrote in another post with a video that shows his long, golden tresses before the chop, and then the "after."

Haaland, who plays for the Premier League's Manchester City in the United Kingdom, was already a well-known and successful soccer player before the 2026 World Cup, having won nine major trophies with the club , including the prestigious Champions League trophy.

But the 26-year-old's popularity surged over the course of the tournament thanks in part to his dry, goofy sense of humour and on-pitch athleticism.

"This beautiful blond hair? Time to let it go," Haaland said in a YouTube video posted Sunday , adding he meant to cut it after the World Cup finished but was too busy.

He only had one hesitation, he added, which is that his friend and mentor, former star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, warned him never to cut it.

"Because your strength is in your hair," Haaland said. "I'm a bit nervous."

Later in the video, post-chop, Haaland Facetimed Ibrahimovic to show him his new look.

"What the f--k did you do," Ibrahimovic asked. "Oh my God. Block me and erase my number."

Haaland also called former City manager Pep Guardiola, who is hairless and told the striker: “You’re lucky to have hair."

The reaction on social media was mixed, with some fans commenting that Haaland looked sharp, and younger, while many others bemoaned the loss of his signature look.

"An angel lost its wings," one person commented on his Instagram video.

Yes, Erling Haaland brought home a taxidermy raccoon from his World Cup travels