How 'baby boy' Haaland conquered America at the World Cup
Erling Haaland's Norway didn't win the World Cup, but on social media, he's become the tournament's biggest star. Why has the US fallen for him?
Erling Haaland's Norway went out of the World Cup at the quarter-final stage - but on social media, he's arguably been the tournament's biggest winner.
From shopping for a cowboy hat in Texas to coming home with a taxidermied raccoon, Haaland's American adventures have seen his online following explode, and his fame has now spread into wider US pop culture. But what is it about him that America has fallen in love with - and just how big a star could he become?
Crystal Bell, digital culture editor at Mashable, tells More than the Score's John Bennett how Haaland's authenticity has been a huge draw for Gen Z and Gen Alpha, and why the way he uses Snapchat is key to his appeal. She also analyses how he's been building his brand in China and beyond.
Tobias Hovland also joins the show to discuss what he's seen while reporting from the US for Norwegian broadcaster NRK, and how Haaland's exploits have been received back home.
Unexpected questions and beyond the scoresheet chat. More than the Score tells stories from all over the world of sport. From Formula One to netball, MMA to figure skating, and Grand Slam tennis to Diamond League athletics. We've got interviews with extraordinary athletes, as well as the experts working behind the scenes, from football super-agents to the coaches keeping athletes in peak form. Plus, we've got the expertise of the BBC's top journalists, who share their insights from decades of covering sport at all levels.
And if you've got your own take on the stories we cover, we'd love to hear from you. Email morethanthescore@bbc.co.uk, or WhatsApp us on 0044 800 032 0470. You can find more information, along with our privacy notice, on our website: www.bbcworldservice.com/morethanthescore
On radio
Featured
-
.
Broadcasts
- Saturday 04:32GMTBBC World Service except Australasia, East and Southern Africa, East Asia & South Asia
- Saturday 17:32GMTBBC World Service Online, UK DAB/Freeview & News Internet only
- Sunday 00:32GMTBBC World Service
- Sunday 03:32GMTBBC World Service Australasia, South Asia & East Asia only
- Sunday 04:32GMTBBC World Service East and Southern Africa
- Sunday 08:32GMTBBC World Service Europe and the Middle East & West and Central Africa only
- Sunday 10:32GMTBBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, Europe and the Middle East & West and Central Africa
Featured in...
Featured
Commentary and conversation from the fields of play
Podcast
-
More than the Score
More than the Score brings you sports stories from beyond the scoresheet