Striker Files 5 Shots with Shaved Head in 2-1 Season Opener
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland abandoned his long hair and top knot in favor of a closely cropped buzzcut ahead of the club’s 2-1 Premier League victory against AFC Bournemouth on August 23, 2026. The 26-year-old forward unveiled the aesthetic change via a behind-the-scenes video published to Manchester City’s official YouTube channel prior to kickoff.
Visual Shift: Erling Haaland Trades Long Ponytail for Stripped-Back Buzzcut
The visual transformation marks a distinct break from the tied-back hairstyle that defined Haaland’s initial four campaigns in Manchester. The club’s digital video documented the physical shaving process alongside candid reactions from family members, friends, and squad teammates before he took the pitch for his 134th club appearance.
Bournemouth
clubDigital Premiere: Manchester City’s YouTube Reveal and On-Pitch Debut
The pre-match YouTube feature provided the exclusive footage of the modification before Haaland stepped out in live action at the stadium. Operating without visual edits or tricks, the forward logged five total shots across the 90 minutes as Pep Guardiola’s side secured their opening three points of the 2026-27 league schedule.
Entering his fifth season at Manchester City since arriving in 2022, Haaland carried a record of 112 goals and 24 assists across 133 matches prior to the fixture. While the look yielded zero goals on its opening afternoon, the visual adjustment marks a new phase for the forward ahead of Manchester City’s upcoming league fixture against Crystal Palace on Friday.
