HAALAND CUTS HAIR, REMINDS OF SAMSON ... BUT NOT FOR LONG

 Just Futbol ...


. STOP THE PRESSES! You’ve Got To Be Kidding Me! Get 

Serious!


ERLING HAALAND got a serious haircut. After insisting he 

had no intention of removing those very long golden locks, 

Manchester City’s scoring whiz from Norway had it done prior 

to the English Professional League’s season-opener with 

Bournemouth. 


So, what happens? In the 12th minute, he is set up for a header 

and ostensibly an easy goal. Instead, Haaland lets the ball hit 

him in the chest ... and ricochets away before he can do 

anything about it.



Maybe there was something to the Curse of Samson after all. 

The Biblical strongman had his locks removed by Delilah and 

with them went his strength as well. Haaland was reminded of 

Samson and Delilah during World Cup 2026 and said there was 

no sense taking any chances, “Now is there?”


He proceeded to score seven goals in five games to lead 

Norway to the quarterfinals where they bowed to England on a 

hot, humid afternoon in which Haaland became so exhausted he 

had to leave the game with the score tied.


Reaction to him getting a buzz-cut was generally well-received. 

Teammate JACK GREALISH apparently wasn’t supportive 

when he said, “Makes him look 13 years old.” Then again … 

His girl friend likes it, and that’s all that really matters, right?



So, why did Haaland do it? I mean, didn’t ZLATAN 

IBRAHIMOVICtell him hair was THE source of his strength 

… advice given prior to the 2026 World Cup in which Haaland 

became a hero, of sorts, to American fans not only for his 

ability on the field but also for his carefree, fun-loving style off 

it?


Before Sunday, he had scored in every Premier League opener 

– seven goals, in all -- since joining City from the Bundesliga 

five year ago. Against Bournemouth, Haaland was 0-for-5 in 

shots but his team prevailed 2-1, coming from behind with a 

pair of goals the final seven minutes.


Haaland said he considered having most of his hair removed 

immediately after the World Cup where Norway reached the 

round of eight in its first appearance in 28 years. In a video 

documenting The Cut, the 26 year old said he did it for “a fresh 

start” to the new season.


Admittedly, the warning from Ibrahimovic, 44, former big-time 

scoring machine for Sweden, left him somewhat nervous. 

When he informed the breakout star of Fox’ coverage what he 

had done, Ibrahimovic “asked if I had lost a bet,” Haaland said.



ONE THING IS for sure … You can’t keep a good man, or 

great player, down for long. In Game 2, Haaland scored twice 

as Man City romped 4-1 Friday over homestanding Crystal

Palace. Also notching a brace for the winners was RAYAN 

CHERKI. Goalkeeper GIANLUIGI DONNARUMMA lost 

his shutout in the 56th minute with an own goal … AYYOUB 

BOUDABBU, 18 year old midfielder who started five of 

Morocco’s six matches in World Cup 2026, made his City 

debut. Acquired Wednesday for “up to” $117 million from Lille 

of the Europa professional league., he made his pro debut at age 

16 … and becomes the youngest player in City history.



... NOTING FUTBOL:


--- FIFA has fined Cup runnerup Argentina $321,000 and 

suspended four players a total of 19 games (and $300,000) for 

their involvement in a post-championship-game brawl with 

Spain, which won 1-0 to end Argentina’s bid for three titles in a 

row. … LEANDRO PAREDES, veteran midfielder accused of 

being most aggressive in the whole thing by grabbing one rival 

player by the throat and later was seen throwing another to the 

ground, was hit the hardest, getting a $90,000 fine and 10-game 

suspension. Assistant coach ROBERTO AYALA received a 

$30,000 fine and three game suspension. Video footage showed 

him holding a rival by the throat before punching another.



--- Haaland now has 10 goals in seven appearances against 

Palace … UEFA, which governs futbol in Europe, announced it 

is preparing a criminal complaint against FIFA boss GIANNI 

INFANTINO over his failed plan to sell commercial stakes in 

the World Cup to private investors. 


Until next time ...


























































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































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