A shirt worn by Erling Haaland during a 2017 UEFA European Under-19 Championship qualification match has been sold at auction for an incredible $19,200.
The Norwegian forward, who has gone on to become one of the world's best forwards, was just as prolific at youth level.
He memorably announced himself to the footballing world in May 2019 when he hit a 'hat-trick of hat-tricks' for Norway in a 12-0 annihilation of Honduras at the Under-20 World Cup.
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Haaland went on to secure the Golden Boot award courtesy of his nine-goal haul. But even before that game, he was ripping up the international stage on a regular basis.
Back in 2017 – a year before becoming the top scorer in qualifications for the 2018 Under-19 tournament – Haaland impressed for Norway during the European Under-19 Championship qualifiers.
In the end, Norway did not qualify for the 2017 tournament but five years later, a match-worn Haaland jersey has sold for a hefty price at auction.
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As described by Goldin Auctions, the shirt is a Nike Dri-Fit size "L" jersey in all red with navy lining around the collar and down the sides.
Haaland's number "19" is screen-printed onto the front and back in white and the Norway logo patch is applied to the front-left chest, while a Nike "swoosh" is visible the front-right chest.
The jersey also came with a COA [Certificate of authenticity] from the Paris Saint-Germain Foundation attesting to its use.
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Goldin state that Haaland's former agent Mino Raiola donated this jersey. Raiola was Haaland's agent until his death in April 2022.
According to the Goldin website, a final bid of $19,200 was placed for the match-worn jersey on November 5 at 9:37pm. It received a total of 22 bids and the auction officially ended at 2:30am on November 6.
Haaland has, of course, gone on to become one of the world's best. But that won't come as much of a surprise to those who watched him play for Byrne FK's academy.
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Footage from Aftenbladet proves that Haaland was already a serious player at 13 years of age. Playing in a local cup game indoors in what looks like a small-sided game, he made it look way too easy.
Haaland's former youth coach, Alf Ingve Berntsen, knew he was special from the age of five.
“I saw Erling for the first time when he was five when he joined indoor training with a group one year older,” Berntsen told Goal.
“His first two touches led to goals. He was very, very good from the first moment, even though he hadn't played in the club before.
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“He started playing in his own year group, but because he was so much better than the others, we immediately pulled him up to Under-6.
“In 2005 the club built a grass-covered indoor soccer pitch that was always open during the weekends. Erling and around 20 others always met there on weekends and played for hours.
“He was a little smaller than his opponents because he was a year younger. But even if his opponent was significantly taller, he kept scoring goals. When he was 11 or 12, we knew he would go far. We already knew back then that he had what it takes to be a youth international.”
Thoughts on the jersey going for such a big price at auction?
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Featured Image Credit: Instagram/erling.haaland - goldinTopics: Erling Haaland, Norway, Manchester City, Premier League