The Manchester City striker isn’t dwelling on Norway’s World Cup heartbreak. Erling Haaland vacation in Italy is in full swing, and he’s trading the pitch for the Mediterranean sun in spectacular fashion. Just days after Norway’s quarterfinal exit against England, the 25-year-old has been spotted living his best life in Taormina, Sicily.
Haaland was photographed shirtless aboard a luxury yacht, jet skiing across crystal-clear waters, and soaking up the Italian sunshine alongside his Norway teammate Sander Berge. The well-deserved vacation comes after Haaland scored seven goals in five World Cup matches, making him the tournament’s top scorer from the Premier League.
The football superstar also traded his swim trunks for high fashion, attending the Dolce & Gabbana Alta Sartoria Show in Taormina with his girlfriend, Isabel Haugseng Johansen. The couple turned heads in coordinated designer looks, Haaland in a white double-breasted suit with silk trousers and dark sunglasses, while Johansen dazzled in a plunging crystal-encrusted sheer gown.
Haaland, who has been a Dolce & Gabbana ambassador since 2023, was seated front row next to actor Theo James and mingled with Jennifer Lopez at the exclusive event. Sander Berge and his partner Julie Karlsen also joined the glamorous evening.
The trip carried special meaning beyond fashion and relaxation. Haaland used the occasion to celebrate Johansen’s 22nd birthday, sharing glimpses of the yacht celebration on his Snapchat. The couple, who grew up together in Bryne, Norway, and welcomed their first child in December 2024, have known each other since childhood.
Norway’s historic World Cup run ended with a 2-1 extra-time loss to England in the quarterfinals. Jude Bellingham scored both goals for England, while Andreas Schjelderup opened the scoring for Norway. Despite the disappointment, the campaign marked Norway’s deepest World Cup journey ever, their first quarterfinal appearance in history.
Haaland’s well-deserved vacation in Italy is a chance to reset before returning to Manchester City for the upcoming club season. The striker’s ability to score seven goals on the world stage has only solidified his status as one of football’s most lethal finishers.
