Erling Haaland was left amazed after a boat packed with tourists sailed alongside his luxury yacht during his post-World Cup holiday in Sicily, with excited visitors hoping to catch a glimpse of the Manchester City striker.
The 26-year-old is taking time to relax after an unforgettable World Cup campaign in which he scored seven goals for Norway. Their impressive run came to an end in the quarter-finals, when they were beaten by England.
Haaland travelled to Sicily to enjoy some sunshine before returning to prepare for the new Premier League season. However, his attempt to enjoy a quiet break was interrupted when a tourist boat stopped near his yacht.
According to The Sun, the passengers appeared keen to see the Manchester City forward in person. Supporters quickly took photographs of Haaland before the boat moved away.
Footage of the incident has since spread widely after being uploaded to YouTube and shared across social media. The video shows Haaland reacting with surprise as the visitors gather near his yacht.
“They’re taking tourist boats. Go and drive your cars to where Haaland is staying… come and see where Erling Haaland is staying. I’ve never seen anything like this before,” he said.
The incident comes after Haaland’s profile grew significantly during the World Cup, with his Instagram following increasing sharply throughout the tournament. His presence on holiday was enough to turn the area around his yacht into an impromptu attraction for passing tourists and fans.
Haaland’s break from football is now nearing its conclusion. He is expected to return to Manchester City before their Community Shield meeting with Arsenal on Sunday.
The match will mark the first time Haaland has been available since Enzo Maresca replaced Pep Guardiola in the dugout at the Etihad Stadium.
For now, his public appearance in Sicily has provided an unexpected reminder of the attention surrounding one of football’s most recognisable forwards. Rather than watching him on a pitch, the group on the tourist boat had the chance to see him during his holiday an experience that appeared to surprise Haaland as much as it delighted those on board.
