Americans are falling in love with ‘Randy Moss’-like Erling Haaland and his $322k designer bag obssession

Erling Haaland is taking a star-laden 2026 World Cup by storm.

The Norwegian centre-forward has notched four goals in his first two games of the 48-team tournament – Norway‘s first World Cup appearance since 1998.

Erling Haaland got Norway’s first World Cup appearance since 1998 off to a flyerGetty

In doing so, the Vikings’ talisman joined an elite group of six players to score more than once in both of their opening two World Cup games.

The 25-year-old also became his nation’s all-time leading scorer at the World Cup, surpassing Kjetil Rekdal.

Co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, some of football’s biggest stars are on display on the world stage, and to audiences who may be experiencing the sport for the very first time.

Lionel Messi. Kylian Mbappe. Lamine Yamal.

Harry Kane and Haaland too, and it appears that the latter is emerging as a clear fan-favorite among American soccer fans.

“Erling Haaland is what Americans that don’t like soccer think all our big athletes would play like, if they chose the sport,” longtime sports broadcaster Colin Cowherd posted to his X account on Monday during Norway’s 3-2 victory over Senegal.

This opinion sparked debate, and American fans did what they do best – likened the Manchester City star’s attributes to that of various NFL athletes, past and present.

“Haaland is a unicorn. That technical ability on top of the horsepower is like people thinking you can just make another Caleb Williams & Josh Allen (horsepower wise),” one user commented.

“Haaland is Randy Moss. Would dominate the NFL,” a second wrote.

Some fans, on the other hand, made the argument that the legendary Calvin Johnson would have thrived like Haaland if he was in a soccer environment.

Williams is emerging as one of the most exciting players in the NFLGetty Moss is widely considered to be one of the greatest wide receivers of all timeGetty

“Calvin Johnson could’ve been that level if he played soccer growing up. 6’5”, 32.5 km/hr speed, 43in vertical, other worldly body control in the air, amazing vision to find holes in defenses, win contested Ariel duels, etc. 0 doubt he’d be a top 5 striker,” the user claimed, proving Cowherd’s initial view.

“Cooper Dejean and Ladd McConkey would be elite soccer players,” another weighed in.

Fans obsessed with Haaland’s Hermès collection

With the media spotlight as it pertains to coverage of Norway all centered around Haaland, fans are digging deep into the lore of their new favorite athlete.

One thing that has gone viral of late is his exquisite collection of Hermès bags, more specifically, the Birkin.

Ahead of Norway’s opening group stage game against Iraq on June 17, Haaland was snapped arriving clutching a Hermès HAC Birkin 50 “Endless Road” in Gris Perle Togo with Palladium Hardware.

A limited edition collectors item that was introduced in 2018, a pre-owned item of this exact model is listed north of $45,000.

Haaland was seen arriving to the World Cup with a rare painted Birkin bagGetty Haaland’s Hermès collection costs north of $320kGetty

But his collection is quite extensive, with one American fan going above and beyond to dig into previous Haaland travel pictures to see what Birkin bag he is using at given times.

The fan even found one image of him carrying a Birkin inside of a bigger Birkin, with the collection of bags – albeit the only ones the fan spotted – coming to a whopping $322,800 on the resale market.

But that’s not all, reports also emerged last year that Haaland had spent an estimated $435,000 on an extremely rare Hermès Himalaya Birkin for his partner.

Fortunately for Haaland, with a plethora of brand new media attention on him, there is now more ample opportunity for him to be marketed to a new audience, which, in turn, brings in additional capital that he could spend on more Birkins.

What a life.

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