July 11, 2026

The African Tribune

Bold, independent reporting on Africa's most important stories, in English, every day.

Erling haaland’s real madrid ambition surfaces amidst world cup heroics

Demonstrating his world-class talent on the global stage, Erling Braut Haaland has been a standout performer for Norway in the 2026 World Cup, netting an impressive seven goals, placing him among the tournament’s leading scorers. Weeks prior to his stellar display, the former president of Borussia Dortmund, the club where Haaland honed his skills for two and a half years in the Ruhr region, subtly hinted at the striker’s eventual move to Real Madrid.

Just last month, the name of Erling Braut Haaland prominently featured in Enrique Riquelme’s campaign for the Real Madrid presidency. Riquelme, challenging incumbent Florentino Pérez, publicly stated on television that securing the prolific Manchester City forward would be a priority if he were elected. Ultimately, Pérez retained his position at the helm of the esteemed Merengue institution. Nevertheless, it appears the prospect of signing Haaland continues to be a significant consideration for the club’s leadership.

real madrid’s long-standing pursuit of haaland

Even before Kylian Mbappé’s anticipated arrival at Real Madrid in 2024, Erling Haaland was a prime transfer target for the Spanish giants, with their interest dating back to 2021. A year later, the Norwegian international departed Borussia Dortmund for Manchester. Despite rapidly becoming an iconic figure for City over five seasons, Haaland reportedly harbors a strong aspiration to one day don the white jersey of Real Madrid. This sentiment was echoed by the Borussia Dortmund president in early June.