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Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has said that his father made him the 'most Norwegian thing' in the offseason - chopping wood in the mountains for strength training. The 23-year-old is coming off an impressive second season at the Etihad.
Unlike some of his club mates who were on international duty at Euro 2024 or the 2024 Copa America, Haaland has had a summer of rest, as Norway failed to qualify for the former tournament.
The Norway international has reported back at City ahead of their pre-season tour of the United States ahead of the new season. Looking dapper and stronger, Haaland revealed that his father, Alf Inge, made him do the 'most Norwegian' thing in the summer. He said in a video uploaded by EuroFoot on X:
"Chopping wood in the mountains is the most Haaland thing, the most Norwegian thing. My father forced me. I didn't have a choice."
Arriving from Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2022, Haaland scored 51 goals as City won their first continental treble. Plagued by injuries, he enjoyed a less prolific sophomore campaign but still contributed 38 goals and six assists in 45 games across competitions.
City fell short of becoming the first team to win back-to-back trebles - losing to eventual UEFA Champions League winners Real Madrid in the quarter-finals and to Manchester United in the FA Cup final.
Nevertheless, they created Premier League history by becoming the first team to win four straight titles and the first in English football history to win six titles in seven years.
A look at Erling Haaland's Manchester City's pre-season
Manchester City commence their 2024-25 pre-season in North Carolina on July 23 against Celtic. Four days later, they take on AC Milan in New York.
On July 31, Pep Guardiola's side lock horns with Barcelona in Orlando. Three days later, they play fellow Premier League side Chelsea in Columbus before concluding their pre-season at home on August 10 against Manchester City at the Wembley in London.
Erling Haaland and Co open their Premier League title defence on August 18 at home to Chelsea as they look to win a record-extending fifth league title.
