Eating hearts and chopping wood - 'Viking' Haaland isn't your average footballer

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FT Desk

Erling Haaland isn't your average footballer.

On the pitch, he's a throwback physical beast, often using his height, strength and speed to get the better of opponents, while he's the most potent goalscorer in the Premier League.

Haaland began his senior career with Bryne FK in Norway before moving to Molde, where his impressive performances attracted attention from clubs across Europe. In 2019, he joined Red Bull Salzburg in Austria and quickly became famous for his remarkable goal-scoring ability, particularly in the UEFA Champions League. His success earned him a move to Borussia Dortmund in Germany, where he continued to score goals at an extraordinary rate.

In 2022, the big striker joined Manchester City and became one of the elite stars in the game. He made an immediate impact, breaking numerous scoring records and helping the club win major trophies, including their first ever Champions League triumph.

Away from football, it seems Haaland likes to live a relatively quiet life in his 10-bedroom mansion in Cheshire, located near the Man City training ground

According to ESPN, he earns around £500,000 per week at the Etihad, but he gets enjoyment from the simpler things in life such as chopping wood and sitting by a burning fire.

"This is where the magic happens. This is where I chop the wood and burn it," he said in an interview published on his YouTube channel.

"It gives me peace in my mind, that's what I like about it. Chop wood, burn it and relax, alone.

"It's really good for me, it clears my mind. So this is what I'm doing when I'm home. Looking at fire is pure peace. It's one of my favourite things to look at. Nature is life."

Haaland has become famed for his conditioning as he takes great care with his diet and fitness regime. He eats a high-calorie, animal-based 'Viking' diet of around 6,000 calories per day focused on whole, locally sourced, organic foods. His daily meal plan relies heavily on meat, dairy, and simple ingredients rather than processed goods.

In the ‘Haaland: The Big Decision’ documentary, he revealed details of that quirky diet - including eating hearts and livers.

Showing off the liver and heart of a cow, he said: “Other people don’t eat this, but I am concerned with taking care of my body.

“I think eating quality food that is as local as possible is the most important.

“People say meat is bad for you but which? The meat you get at McDonald’s? Or the local cow eating grass right over there? I eat the heart and the liver.”

Four Favorites with Erling Haaland ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/tQ1VEFkc2l

— Letterboxd (@letterboxd) September 6, 2026

Haaland’s diet is inspired by that of Cristiano Ronaldo.

“He was told a story by Patrice Evra about a lunch he had with Ronaldo, and Cristiano had fish, nothing else. Erling now tries to do the same,” Alfie, his father, explained.

He does like to sit and kick back like the rest of us, however, as he recently revealed his Letterboxd Top Four - a list of his four favourite movies.

He selected The Wolf of Wall Street, Gladiator, Troy and Home Alone.

The Norwegian previously also revealed a love for playing Minecraft when he returns from training - so it isn't all chopping wood, burning fires and eating cow hearts!