TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Norwegian striker Erling Haaland admitted his country's historic appearance at the 2026 World Cup changed his life, despite their 2-1 quarterfinal defeat to England.
"It all feels surreal. I think this tournament has changed me as a person. I also feel like I've grown, you could say," Haaland said, as quoted by FIFA on Sunday and cited by Antara.
Norway saw its impressive run end after being defeated by England thanks to two goals from Jude Bellingham. In that match, Haaland, who had previously scored seven goals in four consecutive matches, was stifled by the Three Lions' defense.
Despite being disappointed to fail to advance to the semifinals, the Manchester City striker expressed pride in leading Norway to their best World Cup achievement in history.
"It's hard to digest everything that's happened when I look back at the matches we've played. But it feels incredibly special to be a part of a tournament I've only ever watched from afar, and now to experience it firsthand," he said.
Haaland believes Norway's journey at the 2026 World Cup has united the entire nation and created unforgettable memories.
"I feel immense pride. I'm truly moved when I think about how well we performed, the sense of unity created in Norway, and the passion and happiness we felt, both at home and here," he said.
The 25-year-old believes Norway's performance, including a surprising victory over five-time world champions Brazil in the round of 16, has changed the way the world views his country's football.
"This has been a goal of mine for a long time. I think after this tournament we've put Norway on the world football map. Now our job is to maintain that standard," he said.
"We proved we were capable of beating one of the biggest teams in the world, Brazil. In the end, we lost to England, but we made them work very hard. Maybe the result could have been different," he added.
Erling Haaland is optimistic that Norway's golden generation still has a bright future, with the opportunity to compete in the next World Cup and European Championship.
"We still have the World Cup (2030) and the European Championship (2028) ahead of us. Now is the time to truly show our presence. We have an extraordinary generation of players," he said.
Read: What Is the Secret Behind Erling Haaland's Low-Key Romance?
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