Erling Haaland, Manchester City's striker, sparked fans' interest after appearing with a completely different look at the start of the new season, following his surprising decision to cut off much of his long hair, which had become his signature style since joining the English club.
According to The Sun newspaper, Darren Stanton, a behavioral psychology expert, believes that Haaland's change in appearance may have psychological dimensions beyond merely altering his hairstyle, noting that the Norwegian star might feel a degree of "vulnerability" after abandoning his famous look.
Stanton explained that Haaland's long hair, which gave him a "Viking warrior" appearance, had become an essential part of his identity and imposing image on the pitch, even describing it as a "protective shield" and a symbol of strength for the Norwegian striker.
The expert believes that the decision to cut his hair may reflect Haaland entering a new psychological phase, during which he seeks to shed his previous image and build a different version of himself, while focusing more intensely on football and his performance on the field.
Haaland had already captured attention before Manchester City's match against Bournemouth by revealing his new look prior to the start of the season's competitions.
The Norwegian striker posted clips on his Instagram account showing stages of his transformation, trying out several hairstyles before settling on cutting off a large portion of his long hair.
Haaland indeed appeared with his new look during Manchester City's match against Bournemouth, starting the season with a completely different appearance from the image fans had grown accustomed to seeing over the past years.