Who Is Isabel Haugseng Johansen? Everything To Know About Erling Haaland’s Model Girlfriend Who Once Aspired To Be a Footballer

Erling Haaland has spent the World Cup looking almost larger than life, as if he were a video game character with every attribute turned up to the maximum. The 6-foot-5 Norwegian striker has emerged as one of the tournament’s biggest and brightest stars, scoring goals at will, overpowering defenders and leading Norway to its deepest World Cup run in history.

Yet away from the spotlight, the goals and the worldwide attention, Haaland’s personal life is far more low-key than his dominant performances on the field. He prefers maintaining a low-profile. At the heart of that quieter life is Isabel Haugseng Johansen, his longtime partner and the mother of their son.

In Love with His Wife

Their story began in Bryne, a small town in Norway where they both grew up and where Haaland first made his name with the local football club. Johansen was also a talented footballer, playing as a forward for the club’s women’s team during her teenage years.

That shared passion for the game has remained an important part of their relationship. Haaland has previously said it means a lot to have a partner who understands the demands and realities of professional football.

Their relationship didn’t begin with a high-profile celebrity meeting or a glamorous event. Instead, it started in a much more ordinary way. After Haaland moved to Germany to join Borussia Dortmund, Johansen made the first move by sending him a message on Instagram.

“She was the one who reached out to me,” Haaland once said. “She checked me out first—it wasn’t the other way around.”

For someone who has become one of the world’s biggest football stars, it’s a surprisingly relatable love story. Even Haaland, it seems, got a little help from a direct message.

Despite Haaland’s global fame, the couple’s idea of a perfect date night is surprisingly simple. He has said he enjoys cooking dinner, while Johansen is a fan of gaming, so they often spend evenings playing Minecraft together, building virtual houses and relaxing away from the spotlight.

When they’re back in their hometown of Bryne, things are even more laid-back. One of their favorite treats is ordering takeaway kebab pizza from Haaland’s go-to local restaurant, Yummy Time.

Finding Happiness in Each Other

Of course, Haaland also enjoys the perks that come with being one of football’s biggest stars. The Manchester City striker earns millions and owns a lavish $8.3 million estate featuring a private lake, an outdoor swimming pool, expansive gardens, a coach house and even horse stables.

While Haaland continues to shine on the pitch, Johansen has been carving out a career of her own. She has stepped into fashion and content creation, building a large social media following, appearing on the cover of a Norwegian magazine and collaborating with jewelry brand Langgaard.

For Johansen, fashion is about much more than appearances. She previously told MinMote that, after spending years in football kits, her appreciation for style has grown over time. She now sees fashion as an expression of her personality and mood, favoring elegant, modern looks built around timeless pieces rather than fleeting trends.

Becoming a mother has also influenced her style. Johansen has said she now chooses outfits that allow her to stay active and keep up with her young son, balancing comfort with sophistication instead of sacrificing one for the other.

Despite their growing public profiles, the couple has remained protective of their family life. They welcomed their first child, a son, in December 2024 but have chosen not to reveal his name or share photos of his face publicly.

“I want to protect my family, but at the same time I want people to have the opportunity to get to know me and who I am better,” Johansen told KK magazine. “The challenge is deciding what should stay private and what can be shared.”

Throughout Norway’s World Cup campaign, Johansen has been a familiar face in the stands, cheering Haaland on while offering fans carefully chosen glimpses of their journey. Her social media posts have documented travels across the United States, celebrated Norway’s victories and reflected her pride in the team’s historic run.

Haaland has also spoken about how becoming a father has changed his life away from football. Instead of dwelling on every training session, missed opportunity or disappointing result, he says he now has something far more important waiting for him at home—something that helps him leave the game behind once he walks through the door.

Perhaps more than anything else, that offers the clearest glimpse of the man behind one of football’s biggest stars.