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The buzz surrounding Erling Haaland is not dying down, even if his World Cup is over.
Norway may have been defeated 2-1 by England in the quarter finals on Saturday, but all anyone online can talk about is Haaland’s goal scoring, his celebratory rowing with his Norwegian teammates, or even a resurfaced rap song that’s gone viral.
Now, the internet has a new Haaland obsession…
Having flown back home, a photo of Haaland disembarking the airplane at Oslo airport has gone viral due to a rather unique souvenir everyone’s favourite player brought back to Norway.
Check it out:
Yes, it’s a taxidermy raccoon.
Not just any taxidermy raccoon, mind you. His new furry friend is holding a bottle of whiskey.
According to The Sun, Haaland bought the delightful trash panda at a shop called Wild Bills in Dallas. It’s apparently worth $750 (€658) and is known as a Whiskey Raccoon H-MT-F.
Further reports indicate that the player also purchased several cowboy hats, boots, and a t-shirt that says: “Y’all can kiss my Dallas”.
Unsurprisingly, the internet has made Haaland’s raccoon its new obsession.
Check out some of the reactions below:
He’ll be missed for the rest of the tournament…
England, who beat Norway to the semi finals, face off against Argentina on Wednesday 15 July.
Authorities have said there will be increased security measures in place for the game, considering the historical rivalry and tensions between the two countries.
In a statement, Atlanta Police said: “As Atlanta prepares to host an upcoming Fifa World Cup semi-final match and welcomes increased numbers of residents and visitors, the Atlanta Police Department has enhanced its citywide public safety and security posture. Additional personnel and resources are already deployed and will continue to be strategically assigned in and around the event venues, entertainment districts, and other high-traffic areas to help ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone.”
The statement added: “These proactive measures are designed to protect the public, deter criminal activity, and ensure residents and visitors can safely enjoy this historic event.”