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You may or may not be a football fan, but you must be aware of Erling Haaland's name. The Norwegian striker, who has conquered the FIFA World Cup 2026 by becoming only the sixth player in World Cup history to score multiple goals in each of his first two tournament matches. While his speed, power, and enthusiasm persist in grabbing headlines, a recent revelation has made him even more famous among those who are die-hard Indian food lovers.
Despite following the most disciplined lifestyle, Haaland recently mentioned that butter chicken, garlic naan, and lamb chops are among his favourite Indian foods. His comments quickly went viral on the internet, highlighting the global popularity that Indian cuisine has attained.
So, what does the dietary preference look like for this football star, and why does he love to relish Indian food as his favourite cheat meals? Read on to know more about Haaland's disciplined diet and his love for Indian cuisine.
A Diet Made For Powerful Performance
The Norwegian football star Erling Haaland's intense speed and outstanding finishing are supported by a nutrition-filled routine that is just as strict as his training and other physical exercises. His pace, physical strength, and finishing have made him an exceptional performer for both club and country.
As per the reports, Haaland consumes nearly 6,000 calories a day, which depends on whole foods, organ meats, lean protein, and nutrient-rich ingredients to fulfil his challenging training schedule and deliver a power-packed performance on the field. His meals are filled with rich vitamin and mineral content. Rather than tracking the food trends, Haaland likes a simple perspective that is centred on the quality of the ingredients he consumes.
In his 2022 documentary Haaland: The Big Decision, he described, "I think eating quality food that is as local as possible is the most essential." His technique reflects consistency rather than limitation, with every meal planned to fulfil the physical needs for an elite level of energy that is required on the grounds.
Haaland Drools Over Butter Chicken As His Cheat Meal
Despite following a very disciplined routine in terms of eating and workouts, Haaland loves to enjoy cheat meals sometimes simply because he enjoys them. Speaking to Premier League India in an interview, the Manchester City striker mentioned that Indian cuisines are among his favourite foods. "I love Indian food, to be very honest. I love the lamb chops, and I love the butter chicken; those are my two favourites, and also the garlic naan," he added.
His remarks quickly went viral on social media, delighting Indian fans, with butter chicken and garlic naan becoming points of discussion as well as the similarity.
(Image credit: Freepik)
As per some media reports, whenever Haaland craves authentic Indian food, he visits the family-run New Delhi Restaurant situated in Oslo, although there is no confirmation of this by Haaland. Whether or not that's correct, one thing is sure - Indian cuisine has undoubtedly earned a spot on the plate of one of the world's biggest football stars.
