Haaland swaps long blonde hair for short cut ahead of Manchester City's Premier League opener

Erling Haaland has turned a new page with his hair. Hours before the start of the Premier League season, the Norwegian striker posted a photo on social media revealing a short cut, breaking with the long blonde hair that had defined him for several years. The style is reminiscent of what he wore during his seasons at Borussia Dortmund.

The timing coincides with the start of a new cycle for Manchester City. The club hosts Bournemouth at the Etihad Stadium this Sunday at 3 p.m. for their first official league match under the orders of Enzo Maresca, who succeeds Pep Guardiola following the latter’s departure.

The sporting context is loaded. City comes out of a mixed 2025-2026 season: a second-place finish in the Premier League behind Arsenal and an elimination in the round of 16 of the Ligue des Champions. The departure of Rodri to FC Barcelona also deprives Maresca of a central element of the system that long dominated England and Europe.

In this context of rebuilding, Haaland remains the Citizens’ main offensive weapon. Even during the collective slumps of the past season, the Norwegian continued to deliver goal statistics. The challenge for Maresca will be to transform this individual efficiency into collective results and, ultimately, into new trophies.