Erling Haaland becomes a dad for the first time as Pep Guardiola accidentally lets slip Man City star’s partner Isabel Haugseng Johansen has given birth
Erling Haaland’s goal drought is officially behind him, courtesy of his 14th Premier League strike of the season in Manchester City’s 2-0 triumph over Leicester on Sunday. The win marked a welcome resurgence for City, who had endured a dismal five-game winless streak.
Haaland’s recent slump had drawn criticism from some quarters, but Pep Guardiola leapt to his defense, citing the Norwegian striker’s exhaustion and the emotional rollercoaster of becoming a new father. Haaland’s partner, Isabel Haugseng Johansen, had just given birth to their first child, and Guardiola acknowledged the significant personal developments that had been unfolding in Haaland’s life.
“Erling’s been judged harshly, but that’s the nature of football,” Guardiola observed. “He’s tired, having played a multitude of minutes, and he’s navigating the emotional highs and lows of becoming a father for the first time. It’s been an exciting, yet challenging, few days for him.”
With his goal drought now a thing of the past, Haaland will focus on striking a balance between his football career and his new role as a father. As City embarks on the new year, they’ll be relying on Haaland to continue delivering the goods, starting with their Premier League clash against West Ham.
