Haaland cuts his hair and calls Guardiola live: the video goes viral on social media.

A few hours before Manchester City's debut against Bournemouth, a video of his new haircut – shaved short instead of his famous flowing blonde mane – invaded social networks and the news, setting off chain reactions. Norwegian striker Erling Braut Haaland, one of the most recognisable sportsmen in the world thanks to his long hair, has decided to revolutionise his image for the new season.

The video, already shared worldwide, shows him abandoning the look that has accompanied him from the World Cup in the United States to the fashion shows. There's no shortage of high-profile comments. In a video on his YouTube channel, Zlatan Ibrahimović jokingly asked Haaland if he had "lost a bet."

And at the end of the cut, during a live broadcast on TG1, the City striker video-called Pep Guardiola: "Do you like me?" The Spanish manager, who transformed him into one of the greatest strikers of recent years, responded with a smile: "Yes, don't worry. If you don't like it, it'll grow back."

Millions of fans across Norway, Manchester, and every corner of the globe experienced the makeover as a small emotional shock. For many, the blond mane wasn't just a cosmetic detail: it was the "Viking's" trademark, the symbol of an imposing and almost mythical presence on the pitch.

Social media was divided between nostalgia ("He's not the same Haaland anymore") and enthusiasm for the new, more aggressive and focused version. Memes, photomontages, and ironic comments flooded the platforms in just a few hours: some compared the cut to a declaration of war on the new season, while others feared that without long hair, part of his charisma would disappear.

At the same time, countless fans applauded the move as a sign of maturity and total focus on the game. In an era where footballers are also influencers and brands, Haaland once again demonstrates his ability to generate global conversation even with a simple change of fringe. The real test, however, will come on the pitch: if the goals keep pouring in, fans will quickly forgive the disappearance of his legendary mane. Otherwise, some might start clamoring for... regrowth.