Erling Haaland Responds to Tom Holland's Request After World Cup Exit
Newsweek · C · trust 33/100
0 Share Newsweek is a Trust Project member See more of our trusted coverage when you search. Prefer Newsweek on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search. Erling Haaland became immensely popular during Norway 's World Cup run, as the skilled striker powered his team to the tournament quarterfinals, where they eventually lost to Jude Bellingham and England, 2-1.
However, American fans who weren't major soccer enthusiasts warmed up to the charismatic 6-foot-5 smiling striker during his time playing in the country. On social media, Haaland often posted about his discoveries and adventures while checking out the States, including his wild purchase of a taxidermied raccoon, which he brought back to Norway as a souvenir.
Haaland's likeable personality and talents on the pitch previously caught the attention of English actor Tom Holland , star of "The Odyssey" and "Spider-Man: Brand New Day." A story went viral about how Holland messaged Haaland, but never received a response.
Holland confirmed while on "The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon" that he'd sent a DM to Haaland to invite him out to dinner, but Haaland didn't respond. That's because Haaland doesn't watch movies and thought the actor was "a random person."
Holland called it "exactly the type of humbling experience that is important for actors." He joked he didn't even receive an excuse to turn down his dinner request, like "I'm busy tonight, I'm playing football."
According to Holland, he was in Monaco watching Lewis Hamilton race when he saw Haaland nearby at a hospitality suite, so that's when he figured he'd "shoot his shot" with the initial dinner request via DM.
The actor said he didn't believe the international football star would want to have dinner with him anymore after the "other day," referring to England defeating Norway in the quarterfinals. However, the soccer star finally responded to Holland on Fallon's Instagram clip featuring the actor's story.
"Dinner invitation accepted @tomholland2013 . A little late 😅 Just name the place!" Haaland wrote in his comment .
That will make for an iconic merging of Haaland and Holland for an interesting dinner. Norway's soccer star admitted he doesn't really watch movies, so one has to wonder what they'll have to discuss, especially after England defeated his team in the biggest event around.
Perhaps Holland can intrigue Haaland with "The Odyssey," Christopher Nolan's latest blockbuster, which is an adaptation of Homer's ancient Greek epic poem about the hero Odysseus.
In the recent FIFA World Cup, the heroic Haaland scored seven goals in five matches for an impressive debut. He recorded 14 shots on target and four match-winning goals during his time on the pitch. That included two goals that powered his team's 2-1 win over Brazil in the Round of 16.
Now that his World Cup run is over, Haaland will return to play forward for Manchester City, the Premier League club he's played for since 2022. Man City has an international friendly against Inter Milan on July 31, and then plays in the FA Community Shield match against Arsenal on Aug. 16.
Meanwhile, the actor Holland will appear on screen in "The Odyssey" on July 17, and then in "Spider-Man: Brand New Day," which swings into theaters on July 31.
For more about the World Cup, head over to Newsweek Sports .
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