Erling Haaland’s footballer girlfriend has ‘embarrassing’ hobby and messaged him first

MEN Sport takes a look at Erling Haaland's relationship with long-term girlfriend Isabel Haugseng Johansen after the Manchester City striker shared details about their romance

We are all aware of who Erling Haaland the footballer is - a goal hungry striker with plenty of on-pitch charisma.

The Manchester City forward is a household name among football fans worldwide due to his extraordinary goal-scoring prowess, which he first displayed at RB Salzburg and then at Borussia Dortmund.

Following his 2022 move to City, Haaland shattered several Premier League records and contributed heavily to the club's first Champions League triumph and a treble in his debut season. The 25-year-old has already netted 135 goals in 154 appearances for the Etihad side, including 11 in just eight matches this season.

But despite his unmistakable appearance and goal-scoring heroics on the pitch, not many people will know about the Norwegian international's life, other than the fact that his father is former City player Alf-Inge Haaland.

The prolific striker has now offered a rare insight into his personal life, particularly his relationship with girlfriend Isabel Haugseng Johansen. The pair have been acquainted since their childhood days playing for Bryne in their native Norway.

They welcomed their first child together at the end of 2024, with Haaland recently opening up about their mutual love of kebabs and an “embarrassing” passion for playing the video game Minecraft together.

Discussing how their paths crossed, Haaland risked triggering Isabel’s wrath by revealing to Norwegian broadcaster NRK: “She sent me a message. She played in the same club as me, Bryne. She was the one who checked me out. I wasn't the one who checked her out.”

He went on to shed light on their typical romantic evening, saying: “I cook. This will probably sound a bit embarrassing to her, but she likes to play [video games]. So we play Minecraft together. We build houses and all that. Or we go home to Bryne and order kebabs.”

Haaland reiterated his fondness for kebabs, invoking the spirit of Luke Littler as he declared: “At a wedding, you probably want some of the best food you can eat, so it could easily be kebab.”

He continued: “I was single for quite a while myself. If I have any advice, it's to get out and socialise. Meet people and get to know people.

“From my experience, you find your girlfriend when you least expect it. If you're always looking for a girlfriend, you'll never find one.”

The couple were seen enjoying a break in Rome, Italy, during the summer break. Haaland, who has been a brand ambassador since 2023, attended the Dolce and Gabbana Alta Sartoria fashion show dressed in a blue turtleneck, matching sateen trousers and black leather loafers, while Isabel turned heads in a crystal-studded mesh maxi-dress over some black underwear.

The trip prompted Haaland to voice his affection for Italy on social media, writing: “Rome is without doubt one of the most beautiful cities I’ve ever been to! And the food? Omg. Incredible. I’m enjoying the summer! Thanks D&G and the city of Rome for making the time here smooth. I love Italy!”

Isabel was born in July 2004 in Bryne, the same town where Haaland grew up. At one point, she paused her football career and is now a food influencer on Instagram, where she has around 120,000 followers and regularly shares snippets of her life and mesmerising holidays.

Erling and Isabel have been very private about their child and they are yet to publicly confirm its gender or name.