Erling Haaland's Rap Past Resurfaces Online Amid World Cup Stardom

Erling Haaland, the Norwegian football star and Manchester City striker, is gaining attention not only for his World Cup performance but also for a surprising past as an amateur rapper. Before leading Norway to its first-ever World Cup quarterfinal, Haaland recorded a rap song in 2016 with his Norway U17 teammates Eric Botheim and Erik Tobias Sandberg under the name Flow Kingz. The track, titled "Kygo Jo," features Haaland rapping under the stage name Lyng about humorous topics like wasting money, an angry woman, and Caesar salad.

The song, which has amassed over 21 million views on YouTube, recently went viral again after Haaland scored twice in Norway's 2-1 victory over Brazil. Norwegian DJ Kygo released a new remix of the track, boosting its popularity on Spotify. Fans have called for the song to be played in stadiums if Norway beats England in their upcoming World Cup match and even suggested it as a better FIFA anthem than Shakira's hit.

At 25, Haaland has won global admiration not only for his exceptional football skills but also for his relatable personality, humor, and unique style, including a notable collection of luxury Birkin bags. Norway's historic World Cup run continues as they face England for a semifinal spot, with Haaland competing for the Golden Boot alongside Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, and Harry Kane.