Pep Guardiola spills the beans: Erling Haaland is now a dad!

In December 2024, Erling Haaland celebrated a significant milestone, welcoming his first child just days before a crucial match against Leicester City. The legendary Norwegian striker, who plays for Manchester City, was revealed to have become a father during an announcement made by his manager Pep Guardiola after their side's 2-0 victory on December 29. Guardiola praised Haaland's commitment and acknowledged the emotional whirlwind the young player must be experiencing, balancing the responsibilities of parenthood with the demands of professional football. This revelation followed a challenging period for Haaland, who had faced scrutiny for his recent form, having scored only two goals in 50 days leading up to the announcement. The new father had previously indicated in October that he and his partner, Isabel Haugseng Johansen, were expecting a child, sharing a playful social media post showing him with a football under his shirt and sucking his thumb. As Haaland embarks on this journey into fatherhood, many speculate how this new chapter in his life will impact his performance on the pitch. This would not be the first time parenthood has intertwined with professional sports; several athletes have shared similar experiences balancing family and career, while also drawing inspiration from their children. For Isabel, who also has a budding career as a footballer and works part-time, this transition into motherhood is a notable milestone as well. Currently, Manchester City is looking forward to their upcoming match against West Ham United, indicating that despite personal changes, Haaland's professional obligations remain a priority.