FIFA World Cup 2026: Erling Haaland's love for butter chicken says more than you think
Norwegian football star Erling Haaland is making headlines both on and off the field. While football fans are cheering his performance at the FIFA World Cup 2026, food lovers have found another reason to celebrate—his love for Indian food.
Football fan or not, you've probably heard or seen Erling Haaland, the Norwegian footballer who is being hailed for his pace, physical endurance and phenomenal performance on the field. Currently, he isn't just at the centre of the FIFA World Cup 2026 for driving his team into the quarter-finals, he's also all over Reels and memes. In fact, the moment you Google him, a Viking comes rowing across your screen.
On the field, Haaland is a goal machine. Off it, the 25-year-old football sensation is known for his disciplined lifestyle, rigorous fitness routine and meticulously planned diet. He recently gave his Indian fans another reason to celebrate – his love for Indian food.
Yes, it's butter chicken and garlic naan for the win.
A clip from one of his old interviews is now going viral. And honestly, it couldn't have come at a better time. While this is exactly the kind of endorsement Indian food lovers celebrate, celebrity chef Sanjeev Kapoor believes it also highlights a limitation in the way Indian cuisine is perceived globally. But we'll come to that in a minute.
First, let's a take look at Haaland's viral clip:
In an old interview with Premier League India, the Manchester City striker was asked what first comes to mind when he hears "India". He didn't hesitate before talking about his love for Indian food.
Haaland shared that he has enjoyed Indian cuisine both in Oslo and in England and often finds himself craving its flavours. "I love the lamb chops and butter chicken... and the garlic naan."
Away from the pitch, Haaland is just as disciplined. His reported 6,000-calorie diet, early nights, blue-light-blocking glasses, recovery sessions, ice baths and meticulous sleep routine have all become talk of the town.
In the YouTube video A Day in the Life of a Pro Footballer: Erling Haaland, the footballer takes viewers through his daily routine. He begins his mornings with coffee mixed with raw milk and maple syrup before sitting down to a hearty breakfast of eggs and sourdough. His diet revolves around whole, protein-rich foods. Organ meat like liver also makes regular appearances on his plate.
Infact, butter chicken, naan are also among the Indian dishes that frequently feature on international "best food" lists – whether it's the world's best chicken dishes, or breads.
According to Kapoor, that's also where the conversation needs to evolve.
Speaking to India Today Digital after his guest appearance on MasterChef Australia, Kapoor pointed out that while Indian cuisine is becoming increasingly visible globally, it is still largely represented by a familiar few names only: butter chicken, naan, biryani or dosa.
The real India, he believes, lives in everyday home kitchens, in dishes like khichdi, regional curries and countless family recipes that rarely make it onto international menus. For him, taking Indian cuisine global isn't about replacing butter chicken but going beyond it.
Football fan or not, you've probably heard or seen Erling Haaland, the Norwegian footballer who is being hailed for his pace, physical endurance and phenomenal performance on the field. Currently, he isn't just at the centre of the FIFA World Cup 2026 for driving his team into the quarter-finals, he's also all over Reels and memes. In fact, the moment you Google him, a Viking comes rowing across your screen.
On the field, Haaland is a goal machine. Off it, the 25-year-old football sensation is known for his disciplined lifestyle, rigorous fitness routine and meticulously planned diet. He recently gave his Indian fans another reason to celebrate – his love for Indian food.
Yes, it's butter chicken and garlic naan for the win.
A clip from one of his old interviews is now going viral. And honestly, it couldn't have come at a better time. While this is exactly the kind of endorsement Indian food lovers celebrate, celebrity chef Sanjeev Kapoor believes it also highlights a limitation in the way Indian cuisine is perceived globally. But we'll come to that in a minute.
First, let's a take look at Haaland's viral clip:
In an old interview with Premier League India, the Manchester City striker was asked what first comes to mind when he hears "India". He didn't hesitate before talking about his love for Indian food.
Haaland shared that he has enjoyed Indian cuisine both in Oslo and in England and often finds himself craving its flavours. "I love the lamb chops and butter chicken... and the garlic naan."
Away from the pitch, Haaland is just as disciplined. His reported 6,000-calorie diet, early nights, blue-light-blocking glasses, recovery sessions, ice baths and meticulous sleep routine have all become talk of the town.
In the YouTube video A Day in the Life of a Pro Footballer: Erling Haaland, the footballer takes viewers through his daily routine. He begins his mornings with coffee mixed with raw milk and maple syrup before sitting down to a hearty breakfast of eggs and sourdough. His diet revolves around whole, protein-rich foods. Organ meat like liver also makes regular appearances on his plate.
Infact, butter chicken, naan are also among the Indian dishes that frequently feature on international "best food" lists – whether it's the world's best chicken dishes, or breads.
According to Kapoor, that's also where the conversation needs to evolve.
Speaking to India Today Digital after his guest appearance on MasterChef Australia, Kapoor pointed out that while Indian cuisine is becoming increasingly visible globally, it is still largely represented by a familiar few names only: butter chicken, naan, biryani or dosa.
The real India, he believes, lives in everyday home kitchens, in dishes like khichdi, regional curries and countless family recipes that rarely make it onto international menus. For him, taking Indian cuisine global isn't about replacing butter chicken but going beyond it.
