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Erling Haaland kicked off his World Cup debut in a big way.
With two goals, the Norwegian soccer star was the lead scorer in Norway’s 4-1 victory over Iraq at Boston Stadium on June 16.
"It feels good, of course, and I'm proud," Haaland told reporters after the game, per FIFA. "I'm incredibly proud to make my World Cup debut and to win Norway's first World Cup match in 28 years."
Indeed, No. 9 seemed to be on cloud nine after the win.
"My first goal was nice, the second even nicer," he added, "so it’s fantastic and I’m proud of everyone that we could get off to a good start. We were expected to win and we won fortunately. Now everybody in Norway will be happy and I hope people will party."
The World Cup has been a dream of Haaland’s ever since he first joined Norway's national team back in 2019. And part of his game plan includes kicking it into high gear with his nutrition.
"The answer is quite short, to be honest, and simple: real food," the Manchester City forward said on the Man City podcast in 2024. "I try to eat things that [are] real with less ingredients as possible. That’s what I try to do. We’ve got so much processed things in this world right now. So I think that’s a thing to eat real and quality, of course."
After all, Haaland knows that eating well will only assist his play.
"The better food you put in your body, the better you’re going to get things out of the food," he added, "and performance as well."
Joe Prior/Visionhaus via Getty Images
So, what exactly does the 6-foot-4 athlete eat in a day? Like many, he starts his mornings with a cup of joe.
"Coffee is a superfood in my eyes—if you do it right," he said in a 2025 day-in-the-life YouTube video. "Why? It depends on the quality, when you drink it."
As for how Haaland takes his coffee, he likes to add maple syrup and raw milk—which he says has benefits, though health agencies like Europe’s EFSA and the U.S.’s CDC warn raw milk can contain harmful bacteria that may lead to serious health risks.
Along with his java, the 25-year-old enjoys sunny side up eggs and sourdough bread for breakfast.
For lunch, he'll shoot for something like egg fried rice, seabass and asparagus. "Simple," he reiterated. "Nutrition is simple."
And delicious, the clip featuring Haaland digging into steak, potatoes and salad for dinner.
"I like fatty steaks the most," he explained. "Ribeye, Tomahawk, obviously. One of my favorites is short rib. It’s amazing."
Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
Indeed, meat is a big part of his diet. In addition to steak, Haaland’s girlfriend, fellow Norwegian soccer player Isabel Haugseng Johansen, says he loves to make brisket tacos in the slow cooker.
"Oh my god, he eats so much," she said in the video. "Everything is about, 'When is the next meal? What should we eat? What shall we make?'"
And in the 2022 documentary Haaland: The Big Decision, he can be seen carrying in beef heart and liver.
"A lot of things influence health," he shared. "People say meat being unhealthy. Which meat?" For instance, Haaland noted there's a difference between eating meat from fast-food chains versus "the local cow eating grass right over there."
The goalscorer also has his rituals, which includes eating lasagna made by his dad, former soccer player Alfie Haaland, before every home game.
"That’s true, yeah," Haaland said in a 2023 Man City video. "I score goals from it, so we have to continue with it."
Otherwise, he likes to drink hot chocolate before bed and, once in a while, indulge in a kebab pizza, which is his favorite food.
"I never eat it, only on special occasions," the striker added. "Maybe once a year, if I’m lucky."
However, Haaland is calling foul on reports he consumes 6,000 calories a day.
"No," he added. "I don’t know, no idea. I don’t count this."
Fans will surely be counting Haaland's goals when he and Team Norway face off against Senegal on June 22. Until then, keep reading to learn about more soccer stars from around the world.
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