Erling Haaland may be one of the biggest names in football, but he has kept most of his personal life away from the spotlight. The Manchester City striker has been in a long-term relationship with Isabel Haugseng Johansen, a fellow Norwegian who has known him since their childhood days in Bryne. The couple started dating in 2021, welcomed their first child in December 2024, and have continued to keep their family life largely private. While Haaland is known for scoring goals on the world’s biggest stages, his relationship with Johansen began long before fame arrived.
Who is Erling Haaland’s girlfriend Isabel Haugseng Johansen?
Isabel Haugseng Johansen is from Bryne, Norway, the same town where Haaland grew up. Like him, she spent her early years playing football and came through the youth system at Bryne FK. Football was a big part of her life growing up, which gave the pair a shared background and understanding of the sport. Although she no longer plays professionally, Johansen has built a strong following on social media and is often seen supporting Haaland at major matches and events. During the 2026 FIFA World Cup, she regularly attended Norway’s games and cheered on the striker from the stands.
How did Erling Haaland and Isabel Haugseng Johansen meet?
Haaland and Johansen first crossed paths as children while playing for Bryne FK’s youth teams. They grew up in the same town and spent years around the same football environment. Even though they had known each other for a long time, they did not begin dating during those early years. Their relationship started later, around 2021, after Haaland had already moved abroad and established himself as one of Europe’s rising football stars.
Erling Haaland says Isabel Haugseng Johansen made the first move
One of the more surprising details about their relationship came from Haaland himself. Speaking to Norwegian broadcaster NRK, the striker revealed that Johansen was the one who first reached out. “She sent me a message. But she played for the same club I played for, Bryne. So she checked me out, I didn’t check her out,” Haaland said. In the same interview, Haaland shared a glimpse of their life together away from football. He said they enjoy simple evenings at home and even play Minecraft together. “She likes to game, too. So we game Minecraft together. Then we just sit and game and make houses together and everything like that,” he said. The comments offered a rare look at a relationship that has mostly stayed out of public view.
Erling Haaland and Isabel Haugseng Johansen became parents in 2024
The couple entered a new chapter of their lives in December 2024 when they welcomed their first child, a son. They have not publicly shared his name and continue to keep details about their family private. Haaland has spoken openly about how becoming a father changed his mindset. In an interview with Sky Sports, he said parenthood helped him switch off from football when he returned home.“I’ve never felt better than now. And to be honest, with a kid, it makes me even better because I actually disconnect more than ever. I don’t think of football at all,” Haaland said. Today, the pair continue to keep a low profile, but their story remains one rooted in shared childhood memories, football, and a relationship that began long before Haaland became a global superstar.
