Erling Haaland may not have won the World Cup, but the Norwegian striker, and Esquire Middle East’s June cover star, continues to capture attention far beyond the football pitch.
Known for his sharp sense of humour, extraordinary goalscoring ability and distinctive personal style, Haaland has become one of football’s most recognisable figures. From his growing Hermès bag collection to his signature hairstyle, the Manchester City forward has built an image that extends beyond sport.
Now, it appears his hair is having a cultural moment of its own.
According to Google search trend data analysed by Fresha, the global beauty and wellness booking platform, interest in Haaland’s hairstyle has surged over the past year, with searches for “Erling Haaland hair” increasing by 1,741%, reaching 87,000 monthly searches.
Meanwhile, searches for “Haaland hair” have climbed 516% year-on-year to 266,000 monthly searches, highlighting a growing interest in the longer hairstyle that has become synonymous with the football star.
For years, men’s grooming trends have been dominated by fades, short back and sides, and closely cropped cuts. But Haaland’s long, flowing hairstyle represents a shift towards more expressive and individual approaches to men’s hair.
“Footballers have influenced men’s hairstyles for generations, but Erling Haaland represents a real change from the fades and closely cropped cuts that have dominated men’s grooming for years,” says Danielle Louise, Hair Stylist and Beauty Expert at Fresha.
“His long hair has become part of his identity, and it shows men that longer styles can still look masculine, polished and practical. We’re seeing more men interested not only in growing their hair, but in learning how to keep it strong, smooth and healthy.”
Growing longer hair, however, requires more than simply letting it grow. Experts recommend focusing on consistency, from regular trims to maintaining scalp health and ensuring the hair receives the right nutrients.
Diet can also play a supporting role, with a balanced intake of protein, vitamins and minerals helping to maintain stronger, healthier hair over time.
Whether it is his goals, his style or his confidence, Haaland’s influence continues to expand. The striker may have built his reputation by finding the back of the net, but his latest impact is happening somewhere completely unexpected: the barber’s chair.