While Norway is celebrating at the World Cup, Erling Haaland is fighting other battles: ‘I’m a serious gamer’

A gamer at heart with equipment for professionals

In the video, Haaland proudly shows off his impressive gaming corner, equipped with several large, curved monitors and designed for LAN parties, stressing that he plays games exclusively with friends. A particularly cute detail is a black mini-fridge styled like an Xbox Series X console, filled with pizzas and snacks. Haaland is also known as a big fan of Xbox, and he once said that he hopes to one day become an official ambassador of the brand.

He also reveals his list of favorite games, which includes titles such as Minecraft, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, Grand Theft Auto and Assassin’s Creed. However, the highlight is the moment when he picks up the controller and starts EA Sports FC 24. Viewers can see him select his own game card for his team, Manchester City, in the menu, and then score a goal in the match against Arsenal with his own virtual character. His sincere joy after scoring a goal shows the authentic passion he has for gaming, far from the pressure of professional courts.

Fan debate: Fun or “serious” gaming?

The publication, as expected, caused an avalanche of reactions. The vast majority of fans were delighted, and comments like “One of us!” and “Brother mentioned Assassin’s Creed, knows the lore” showed approval. Others were curious, so they asked him what his favorite Pokémon was or what music he listens to while playing Minecraft.

However, GameSpot’s description of Haaland as a “serious gamer” also sparked a classic debate. “Gamer elitists” appeared who scoffed at his choice of games, considering FifU too casual for such a description.
​- A serious gamer… He plays Fifu, yes, a very serious gamer – read one of cinič’s comments.

However, many came to Haaland’s defense.
​- People who hate those who like to play casual games are the worst – one user wrote.

A witty conclusion was given by another commenter:
​- I’d normally make fun of people who play Fifa, but he gets a pass because he’s literally in the game.

It is interesting that Haaland’s mention of the Assassin’s Creed series came at the perfect time, just a day before the release of the long-awaited remake Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced, which further increased the relevance of the video.

Ultimately, the video offered a humanizing look at the global sports icon, portraying him as a person with passions beyond the football field. Whether you consider him a “serious” or a “casual” gamer, Erling Haaland once again showed why he is so popular – his authenticity connects him with fans on many levels.