​Erling Haaland has captured global attention with his astonishing form, and Google has even celebrated him with a Viking-row animation just days before Norway’s World Cup quarter-final against England. Haaland teased the new feature on his social pages, telling fans on X: “One thing to do today… search my name on Google,” accompanied by a wink emoji. The Manchester City striker already has seven goals at the tournament and remains firmly in the race for the Golden Boot, challenging icons like Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi. His rising stardom is being amplified by the playful digital tribute now visible to anyone who looks up his name.
To see Haaland’s animation, simply enter “Erling Haaland” into the Google search bar. The result is a sequence of Nordic Vikings rowing in homage to the 25-year-old forward. If you switch on the sound, you’ll also hear Haaland shouting “Ro” over a drumbeat, a nod to the rhythm popularized by Martin Ødegaard after Norway’s round-of-16 victory over Brazil. It’s a clever, celebratory Easter egg that merges football prowess with a touch of mythic heritage.
Prominent football figures have also chimed in with playful involvement. Wayne Rooney appears to be in on the joke as well, and ahead of this weekend’s big clash in Miami, he teased a potential rowing match of his own. Rooney pledged to row down the River Mersey in tribute to Haaland’s achievements, joking that the spectacle would be the perfect follow-up to the Norwegian’s impressive upset of Brazil. “I’m looking forward to seeing Wayne, Wayney boy. I’m looking forward to seeing Wayne Rooney rowing down in Liverpool,” Haaland said in the build-up. “That’s all I want to see now. Wayne Rooney, I expect you to go out on a rowing trip.”
Rooney, for his part, indicated he would honor the promise, though with a twist: he would carry it out in New York rather than Liverpool. The playful banter between Haaland and Rooney has added another layer to the buildup, blending football drama with entertaining media moments.
This lighthearted exchange comes as Haaland continues to underline his status as one of the most exciting talents in world football. His seven goals at the World Cup keep him in the conversation for the tournament’s top scorer, alongside Mbappe and Messi, while the Google animation fans can enjoy serves as a tangible reminder of his global appeal. The fusion of sport, technology, and celebrity culture surrounding Haaland shows no signs of slowing, as fans around the world eagerly await each new chapter in his already storied career.