Speaking in an interview with Sky Sports (reported by French outlet RMC), the 26-year-old Norwegian forward reflected on the world's reaction after debuting his short buzz cut ahead of the new season in late August. Football icons and teammates reacted with astonishment, with Swedish legend Zlatan Ibrahimović jokingly questioning if he had lost a bet. Haaland admitted that while he expected some chatter, he was stunned by the worldwide viral uproar. On the streets, the absence of his iconic ponytail allows him to move around far less noticed, a change he views as a positive perk. Off the pitch, his new look has brought relative peace, but on the pitch, Haaland remains as lethal as ever—scoring seven goals in seven matches across all competitions as Manchester City stays at the top of the Premier League table.