Manchester City frontman Erling Haaland could have been playing for England at the upcoming World Cup in Qatar.
Haaland was born in Leeds while his father was playing for the Yorkshire club, which meant that the player was eligible to represent England.
However, with the forward leaving the country to head to Bryne with his family at the age of three, he believes it was 'natural' for him to choose to play for Norway instead of England.
The City superstar has scored 21 goals in 23 games for his country but will not be present at the World Cup after Norway failed to qualify for it.
"I lived here [England] for three-and-a-half or four years and I lived in Norway for such a long time, so then it was natural for me to choose Norway," Haaland told Goal. "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."
The 22-year-old has registered 23 goals in 17 matches since arriving at the Etihad from Borussia Dortmund in the summer transfer window.
With the frontman not competing at the World Cup, he will have the opportunity to get some much-needed rest after an intense start to the campaign.
When asked how Haaland will spend his break during the tournament, his manager Pep Guardiola said: "He will be in Marbella for sure, or in Norway. It depends on how he behaves in Marbella as to how good he is for the second half of the season.
"I'm pretty sure he will love to be at the World Cup and maybe the next one or Euros he will. But he has a house in Marbella go there, play golf, hopefully, he don’t drink much, eat much and come back fit."
Pumklopu
0
one thing I like about haaland is his commitment to the game. he will be training and maintaining himself.
dibaciklmt
0
playing in the world cup is not one man show. Everyone in the team should contribute to the fullest so that you can enjoy the music at the world cup. Poor boy. Take ❤️.
Vahaemstu
0
well he made the right decision 💯 there at Norway 🇳🇴 he's appreciated and seen as the superstar. he must represent his nation with pride and make history there... he must do what Lewandowski has done with Poland 🇵🇱 🤞 he's a striker and he will score more goals for his country especially in Europe with lot of fringe national part time teams that he can easily score 5 goals against in a match
sgagcshs
0
now we understand haaland
Jacbmsyz
0
to go to the world cup is not an easy thing.
hi
codcikltyz
2
I think if is to play tomorrow against Brentford is going to score many goals
labdklosy
2
to go to the world cup is not an easy thing.
Kehdkmnot
1
poor boy