Why Erling Haaland wears 'Braut-Haaland' on Norway shirt

Table of Contents
Why Erling Haaland wears 'Braut-Haaland' on Norway shirt
KEY TAKEAWAYS
  • Haaland uses "Braut-Haaland" for Norway to honour both parents.
  • "Braut" comes from his mother, former athlete Gry Marita Braut.
  • The naming choice reflects a common Norwegian family tradition.
Erling Haaland made a striking World Cup debut against Iraq earlier this week, but it was not only his goals that caught the eye.

Haaland, who is widely regarded as one of the best forwards in world football, scored twice in Norway's 4-1 win.

Yet viewers watching around the world also noticed something unusual on the back of his shirt.

Instead of the familiar "Haaland" seen on the back of his shirt at Manchester City, the striker wore "Braut-Haaland" during the international fixture.

The change prompted plenty of questions from fans around the world. So why does one of football's biggest stars use a different name for his national team?

A tribute to both parents

The answer lies in Haaland's family background.

The 25-year-old's full name is Erling Braut Haaland. Whilst "Haaland" comes from his father, Alf-Inge Haaland, "Braut" is the surname of his mother, Gry Marita Braut.

According to reports, Haaland chose to add "Braut" to the back of his Norway shirt as a way of honouring both sides of his family.

The striker also uses the full name Erling Braut Haaland across his social media platforms.

The decision reflects a wider Norwegian tradition, where recognising both maternal and paternal family names is more common than in many other countries.
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Not the first time he has used the name

Long-time followers of Haaland may remember that this is not a new development.

Earlier in his career, during spells with Red Bull Salzburg and Borussia Dortmund, he was frequently referred to as Erling Braut Haaland.

However, as his profile grew, the striker gradually simplified the name displayed on his club shirts, opting to use only "Haaland."

That remains the case at City, where the shorter surname has become one of the most recognisable names in world football.

At international level, though, he has chosen to reintroduce the full family name, giving fans a reminder of his roots and family heritage.

Perfect start to the World Cup

The discussion surrounding his shirt name comes after another standout performance from the Norwegian forward.

Haaland marked his World Cup debut in style with two goals against Iraq, helping Norway begin the tournament with a commanding win.

The performance underlined why he is widely regarded as one of the finest strikers in world football.

With expectations high and Norway dreaming of a deep run in the competition, Haaland's goalscoring form could prove crucial in the matches ahead.

For now, though, it is not just his finishing that has people talking. The name "Braut-Haaland" on the back of his shirt has offered fans a glimpse into the family story behind one of football's biggest stars.

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