Erling Haaland Ties Messi and Mbappé in World Cup Goals

Erling Haaland has tied with Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé for goals scored in the World Cup, each netting seven. On Sunday, July 5, Haaland played against Brazil, helping Norway advance to the quarterfinals for the first time.

Erling Haaland's full legal name is Erling Braut Haaland, with Braut being his middle name and Haaland his father Alf-Inge "Alfie" Haaland's surname.

Braut is Erling's mother's surname, her full name being Gry Marita Braut. The addition of Braut to his jersey is an ode to her.

Erling will reportedly reserve using "Braut Haaland" for when he is representing Norway on the world stage, reverting back to just "Haaland" for his Manchester City jersey.

Erling was born on July 21, 2000, in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England, when his father Alfie was playing for Premier League club Leeds United.

Alfie also played for Nottingham Forest, Manchester City, and Norwegian team Bryne, before retiring in 2013. Erling's mother Gry is also from Norway and a former athlete, a national heptathlon champion in Norway in the 1990s.

Norway is next set to play in the FIFA quarterfinals on Saturday, July 11 at 5pm ET, against England, who kicked Mexico off of contention in a 2-3 game on Sunday, July 5.

And Erling Haaland is looking forward to the challenge, having previously played for Norway's national team. This is his first World Cup, as the country failed to qualify in 2022.

Erling Haaland said of his first game, which was against Iraq on June 16: "It will feel kind of like a dream come true."

He added: "You know it's more special, I think, because I've never experienced it. So, it will be an interesting feeling and experience because, again, I don't know what I'm going into, because I've never been [there]."

Erling Haaland is just looking forward to it: it's going to be amazing. The 25-year-old Norwegian soccer player has propelled his home country into the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time.

The soccer forward has also caught eyes over a subtle name change to his jersey. Whereas he typically has "Haaland" on the back of his shirts for his club side, during the World Cup, his jersey reads "Braut Haaland.