Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Read more
Norway’s soccer sensation Erling Haaland can’t seem to escape screaming fans, even while out at sea in Sicily.
In a new video uploaded to his YouTube channel, the Norwegian World Cup star, 26, gave audiences a glimpse into his well-deserved summer vacation aboard a luxury yacht.
Just as Haaland walked out to hit golf balls off the back of the yacht, he noticed a boat driving by filled with tourists screaming and waving at him.
“Look, they do tourist boats,” the Manchester City striker said, telling the cameraman to film the fans. He politely returned their greetings and waved back.
“Come and have a look at where Erling Haaland stays,” he added, imitating a tour guide. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”
Erling Haaland is currently vacationing on a yacht in Sicily (Erling Haaland/YouTube)Boats filled with tourists hoping to get a glimpse of Haaland are sailing past his yacht (Erling Haaland/YouTube)
Norway midfielder Sander Berge, Haaland’s teammate who joined him on the yacht, admitted the interaction is “not for me.”
The rest of the video showed the pair playing soccer and trying to score goals against one another, before getting ready to attend a private Jennifer Lopez concert.
“So now we’re gonna go to the final party — Jennifer Lopez performing,” Haaland said, pronouncing the pop star’s name using a Spanish accent.
The “On the Floor” singer, 57, headlined an exclusive private concert in July to close out Dolce & Gabbana’s Alta Moda haute couture celebrations in Sicily.
Haaland’s celebrity status skyrocketed during last month’s Fifa World Cup 2026, where he played for his home country. Norway reached the quarter-finals but was defeated by England 2-1 in extra time.
Throughout the tournament, Haaland became an internet favorite for his endearing personality on and off the field. He gained an unprecedented 32.1 million new Instagram followers, Sportico reported.
One of his first viral moments of the World Cup arrived when he walked off the field, his head and neck extended and his shoulders stiff.
His unusual posture spawned numerous memes, recreation clips and odd comparisons to everything from a green onion top to other oddly shaped objects.
Haaland became a viral internet sensation during last month’s World Cup (Getty)
Haaland’s embrace of the American South also became another much-talked-about moment.
One video showed him shopping for a cowboy hat, declaring that it makes him look like a “proper cowboy.”
Finally, to commemorate his time in America, he landed in Norway cradling a taxidermied raccoon. “It followed me home,” Haaland wrote on Instagram at the time, alongside a photo of him walking on the tarmac carrying the memento.
Haaland is expected to return for Manchester City training this week following his extended post-World Cup break. Later this month, he is scheduled to feature in matches against Arsenal in the Community Shield August 16 before opening their Premier League season against Bournemouth August 23.
