REUTERS/Dylan Martinez | Toei Animation
Soccer fans have long felt that Erling Haaland looks like the 'Dragon Ball Z' character Super Buu
Erling Haaland has become one of the breakout stars of the World Cup. While Haaland’s bonafides as one of the world’s best strikers were already established, the 25-year-old Manchester City forward is being introduced to casual soccer audiences for the first time and is leaving quite the impression.
A quick scan of social media will show that the average American sports fan seems to love what they’ve seen from Erling Haaland at the World Cup this far, both in terms of his on the pitch dominance and his personality off it.
With a brace over traditional powerhouse Brazil in the Round of 16, Haaland now has seven goals at the 2026 World Cup, which ties him with Kylian Mbappe for second in the Golden Boot race behind Lionel Messi, who added his eighth goal of the tournament in Argentina’s comeback 3-2 win over Egypt in the Round of 16 . Haaland’s personality is also shining through when he’s not dominating his opponents, which has further endeared him to American audiences and soccer fans around the world.
— Out Of Context Football (@nocontextfooty) July 6, 2026
Erling Haaland was so fascinated by American culture during his visit to Texas for the World Cup that he couldn’t stop talking about how kind everyone was and even started using a Southern accent to fit in 😭
he also purchased a custom cowboy hat and tried branding himself pic.twitter.com/hKYlTJCS51
— yoxic (@yoxics) July 3, 2026
Well well well 😂 pic.twitter.com/IWe7l9AhZo
— Erling Haaland (@ErlingHaaland) July 5, 2026
Star Norway striker Erling Haaland responded to popular suggestion that he resembles Dragon Ball Z villain Majin Buu
Responding to a post on Instagram about his resemblance to Majin Buu after Norway’s 2-0 win over Brazil in the quarterfinals, Haaland agreed with the validity of the viral meme, saying: “I mean I don’t disagree.”
Majin Buu, featured in the Dragon Ball manga and the anime series Dragon Ball Z, is a villainous character that served as the final antagonist in the long-running series and considered to be the strongest villain that the heroes face throughout the story.
The character goes through multiple evolutions which sees him transform from Majin Buu into Buu, Super Buu (the one that most resembles Haaland), and Kid Buu.
Norway will face off against England, who advanced to the quarterfinals thanks to their thrilling 3-2 win over Mexico at the Azteca in the Round of 16, in Miami on Saturday, July 11 at 5 p.m. EST.