Haaland reveals buzzcut ahead of new Premier League season
Erling Haaland has kicked off the new season with a dramatic change in appearance, debuting a sharp buzzcut on social media that sent his millions of followers into a frenzy. The Manchester City striker posted a close-up photo on Instagram on Tuesday, captioning it simply: “New season, new trim.”
The post that broke the internet
Within 90 minutes of going live, the post had racked up over 400,000 likes and more than 12,000 comments. Fans flooded the replies with everything from fire emojis to jokes about whether the haircut would make him run faster. It’s not the first time Haaland has used a pre-season aesthetic change to generate buzz — he arrived at City’s training ground last summer sporting a longer, more unkempt look that became something of a trademark.
But this time he’s gone in completely the opposite direction. The new cut is close-cropped on the sides and barely an inch on top, giving him a more severe, focused look. Some fans online compared it to a military cut. Others said it made him look five years older.
A striker in serious shape
The timing isn’t accidental. City’s pre-season schedule is already underway, with the squad due to travel to the United States for a three-game tour starting July 23. Haaland has been spotted in training looking leaner than at the end of last season, when he finished with 27 Premier League goals — still a remarkable haul despite being below his 2022-23 record of 36.
He’s clearly hungry. And not just for goals.
A club spokesperson said: “Erling is in excellent spirits and has returned to training in fantastic condition. The squad is excited about what the new season holds.”
Social media reacts
The buzzcut post quickly became one of the most-shared sports moments of the week across X and Instagram. Several major football accounts reposted it within hours. Rivals fans weren’t shy either — supporters from Liverpool and Arsenal both weighed in, most grudgingly admitting it looked decent. Still, a handful of City fans expressed mild nostalgia for the longer blond look he sported for most of last season.
That’s football social media for you. Everyone has an opinion, even about a haircut.
What to expect this season
City open their Premier League campaign on August 16, with the fixture list confirming a home tie in the first weekend. Manager Pep Guardiola is expected to have a fully fit squad available by then, with Haaland central to all attacking plans. The Norwegian has now scored 91 goals in all competitions since joining the club in June 2022 for a reported £51 million — a figure that looks more absurd by the week.
Whether the buzzcut becomes his signature look for the 2024-25 season remains to be seen. But if his form matches his commitment to a fresh start, City’s opponents won’t be laughing for long.
