Haaland's Anthem Surprise: City Striker Spotted Singing God Save the King Before Community Shield

Fans were left scratching their heads when Erling Haaland, the Norwegian Manchester City striker, was spotted singing the UK national anthem before the Community Shield clash against Manchester United.

The powerful forward, who enjoyed a long summer break after missing out on the Euro 2024 tournament, was named in the starting lineup for the traditional season-opener. As is customary for domestic cup finals in England, "God Save the King" was played before kickoff, and to the surprise of many viewers, Haaland was seen mouthing the words.

Social media erupted with reactions, with many expressing their bewilderment. One fan exclaimed, "Erling Haaland singing the national anthem was not what I expected to see when I turned the telly on." Another, referencing Haaland's robotic reputation on the pitch, quipped, "Nah man why was Haaland singing the National Anthem he's a robot 100%."

However, some were quick to point out that Haaland's actions were not entirely out of character. Born in Leeds, he spent a significant portion of his childhood in England and was once eligible to play for the Three Lions.

In a 2022 interview with GOAL, Haaland explained his decision to represent Norway over England. "I lived here [England] for three-and-a-half-to-four years and I lived in Norway for such a long time, so then it was natural for me to choose Norway," he stated.

He further added, "You never know how it would be if maybe my father played longer in England or whatever. Maybe I would be English, I don't know. But yeah, I'm Norwegian and I'm proud of it."

While Haaland's anthem performance may have caused a stir among football fans, it ultimately highlights his strong ties to England and the enduring influence of his time spent in the country during his formative years. His unwavering commitment to Norway, however, remains evident in his international career.