Erling Haaland isn’t just making World Cup history – he’s fueling it with a staggering 6,000 calories a day and one guilty pleasure that he still can’t resist.
The 25-year-old striker has fired Norway into the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time in the nation’s history, setting up a showdown with England in Miami on July 11.
His remarkable tournament has also earned him a place in the history books. Alongside Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé, Haaland has helped create a World Cup first, with all three players reaching seven goals during the same tournament.
Performances like that don’t happen by accident.
6,000 calories a day
The Manchester City forward has previously revealed that he consumes around 6,000 calories each day to support the demands of his 6-foot-5 frame and relentless style of play.
For comparison, the U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends that an adult male consumes between 2,000 and 3,000 calories per day, although Haaland’s workload is far beyond that of the average person.
“I’ve never, ever seen anyone eat as much as he does,” said Josh King – a Norwegian pro footballer who now plays for a Saudi club, according to the U.S. Sun.
“He’s shredded but I don’t know…he just eats like a bear.”
‘Important to eat quality’
Rather than relying on heavily processed meals, Haaland says he keeps his diet as simple as possible.
“I try to eat things that are like real, with as less ingredients as possible,” he said on the Man City podcast.
“I think that’s what I try to do, you’ve got so much processed food in this world right now, it’s important to eat quality.”
His daily meals regularly include eggs, milk, red meat, fish and honey, with a private chef helping him stay consistent throughout the season.
Follows Ronaldo’s diet
Haaland’s father, former Premier League player Alfie Haaland, previously told ESPN that his son’s approach to food was influenced by ex-Manchester United defender Patrice Evra, who shared a story about lunch with Cristiano Ronaldo.
According to Alfie, Ronaldo’s meal consisted of “fish, nothing else,” inspiring Haaland to adopt a similarly disciplined approach to nutrition.
“Erling now tries to do the same things because Ronaldo [was] 34 and still at the top of the game,” Alfie told the outlet, adding, “so it shows the value of doing the right things.”
Favorite cheat meals
Even with one of the strictest diets in football, Haaland admits there is one meal he happily indulges.
“I really like kebab. I love it,” Haaland told the Sun, adding his favorite meal is kebab pizza that he gets from Yummy Time, a restaurant in Bryne, the town he spent the early years of his career. “That doesn’t mean I eat it all the time. I eat it a couple of times a year when I’m in my hometown. I almost never eat it, but it’s still my favorite food.”
Another favorite is Wen Hua House – a Chinese restaurant near Yummy Time, where Haaland has been dining with family since he was a small boy.
“Erling grew up in this restaurant, he has been coming here with his family since he was a child,” owner Hui Zhu Wang told the Sun. “When he visits Bryne, he still comes to see us and orders his favorite dishes – sweet and sour chicken or the duck.
“He is always very polite and humble, and it’s amazing to think he’s such a famous footballer.
Even with a few longtime favorites, Haaland says his overall approach to food has never changed.
“I love food and I eat so much,” he said, adding, “The better food you put in your body the better you’re going to perform.”
What meals do you save for your cheat days? Please let us know your thoughts!
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