Don't Chase Love: Erling Haaland — Why the Right Person Shows Up When You Least Expect It

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Salid Martik
06/10/25
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Manchester City striker Erling Haaland rarely talks about his private life, but in this conversation — without posturing and with honesty — he shares a few simple rules that have worked for him outside the penalty area. It is about meeting Isabel Haugseng Johansen and why endless 'searches for a soulmate' often hinder rather than help.

She Messaged First: The Story of How They Met

— Erling, how did your story with Isabel start?

— In short, she made the first move. I didn't spot her in the stands or on social media — Isabel wrote to me herself. We're connected by "Bryne": I played there and she was also in the club's system. I think the shared environment and similar habits helped us find common ground quickly.

Get Out of the House and Talk: Advice for Those Who Are Single

— What would you say to those who don't have a partner yet?

— I lived alone for a long time and realized something important: sitting between four walls, your chances are almost zero. You need to go out, talk, meet people — in a queue, in a café, after training, wherever. When you're on the move, when you live a full life, the encounter happens naturally.

When You Chase It — You Miss the Moment: On Unnecessary Rush

— And what about deliberate 'searching'?

— In my experience, if you treat it like a hunt, everything slips out of your hands. The more you focus on the end result, the further it retreats. The best encounters happen when you least expect them. Let go of control, stop checking the clock — and the chance will appear.

Shared Experience and a Shared Rhythm: Why "Bryne" Helped

— Did it help that you and Isabel come from the same football context?

— Of course. Football is routine, discipline, the cadence of a season. When someone has a similar schedule and understands training, away trips, and recovery, it's easier to communicate. You don't need to explain why you want quiet after a match or why Monday is just work.

Private Life and Sport: Balance Without Extra Drama

— How do you keep your balance between the league, goals, and a relationship?

— Exactly as on the pitch: don't run to where the ball was 'yesterday'; get open for the 'now'. It's important to be honest with yourself and your partner, not to invent problems, and not to build expectations that create pressure. Live rather than play a role — and then everything comes together.

Haaland's Takeaway: Less Chasing — More Living

— If you had to put it into one rule?

— Stop 'searching' as if it's a task with a deadline. Get out of the house, talk to people, be yourself. The paradox is that the right person shows up when you're busy living, not hunting. That's exactly how it happened to me.

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