Manchester City's Erling Haaland marked the start of the 2026 Premier League campaign with a dramatic styling change, swapping his long blonde hair for a clean buzz cut. The 26-year-old striker announced the transformation on social media with the caption "New season, new trim," documenting the entire grooming process in a video that included reactions from prominent figures in football and entertainment.
Key takeaways
Haaland transitioned from a long-hair look to a military-style buzz cut ahead of Manchester City's match against Bournemouth on August 24
Jack Grealish and Pep Guardiola both endorsed the new appearance, with Guardiola commenting on his own lack of hair
Zlatan Ibrahimovic expressed disapproval, jokingly suggesting Haaland had "lost a bet" after previously advising him never to cut his locks
Noel Gallagher of Oasis remarked that Haaland looked "about 17 years old" with the shorter style
The haircut marks Haaland's shortest look since his days at Borussia Dortmund
Before proceeding with the cut, Haaland displayed humor by reviewing past hairstyle photos and joking about potential new looks. Nervousness was visible as the barber began, but the striker's demeanor quickly shifted to satisfaction as the transformation took shape.
The reactions from his video call participants ranged from enthusiastic support to skepticism. Ibrahimovic's response proved the most critical, with the former Sweden international seemingly taking the decision as a personal slight after previously counseling Haaland that strength derived from maintaining longer hair. Grealish's feedback centered on the dramatic visual shift, particularly highlighting the front portion of the new style. Guardiola's response reflected both appreciation and self-deprecating humor regarding his own hairline situation.
Haaland will debut his new look during Manchester City's Sunday match against Bournemouth at 14:00 BST, as the squad looks to establish momentum early in the season under manager Enzo Maresca's direction.