Erling Haaland (foto: Screenshot)
Erling Haaland hoped for some peace after the World Cup, but boatloads of fans reportedly began passing his yacht during his holiday in Sicily.
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Erling Haaland has escaped football for a summer holiday in Sicily, but escaping the attention that comes with being one of the world's biggest football stars has proved much more difficult.
The 26-year-old Manchester City striker is enjoying an extended break after representing Norway at the 2026 World Cup, where he scored seven goals and helped his country reach the quarter-finals.
Norway's adventure eventually ended against England, allowing Haaland to recharge before returning to Manchester for another demanding Premier League campaign.
He chose Sicily and a yacht for his summer escape.
There was only one problem: everyone seemed to know where he was.
Boat full of fans arrives next to Haaland
While Haaland was relaxing aboard the yacht, another boat packed with people approached.
The passengers shouted towards the Norwegian striker and took photographs as they passed his location.
Haaland filmed the unusual encounter, and footage of the moment quickly spread across social media and YouTube.
Judging by his reaction, even a superstar accustomed to enormous crowds was surprised by what he was seeing.
"They're organizing tourist tours by boat. They're passing by where I'm staying," Haaland said.
He then jokingly transformed himself into a tour guide and offered his own description of the apparent attraction.
"Come and see where Erling Haaland is staying."
Haaland laughed before adding: "I've never seen anything like it."
Haaland has become a tourist attraction
The bizarre encounter illustrates the extraordinary level of attention surrounding the Manchester City striker.
Haaland has been one of football's biggest stars for years, but his profile grew even further during Norway's memorable World Cup campaign.
Norway reached the quarter-finals for the first time, with Haaland once again providing the goals.
The Manchester City striker scored seven times during the tournament before Norway were eliminated by England, with Jude Bellingham scoring twice in the decisive match.
Haaland also became one of the World Cup's biggest social media personalities away from the pitch.
His relaxed behaviour, unusual reactions and videos regularly went viral throughout the tournament, showing supporters another side of a player usually associated with ruthless goalscoring.
Even his holiday is going viral
The trend has apparently continued during his summer break.
Instead of match highlights, Haaland is now generating viral clips from a yacht in Sicily, where curious fans are apparently prepared to take to the water for an opportunity to see him.
At least Haaland appeared amused rather than irritated by the attention.
His holiday will not last much longer, with Manchester City preparing for the start of another Premier League season.
Until then, the Norwegian will hope for a little peace in Sicily.
That might prove difficult when even sightseeing boats appear to have added Erling Haaland to their list of attractions.