Over the past week or two, the internet (or, to be precise, ‘my’ social media bubble) has blown up over one particular person: Erling Haaland! He is a Norwegian football player, who has, together with his national team, made headlines at the current men’s football world cup. Not only has it been Norway’s first world cup appearance in almost 30 years, but the team did exceptionally well by making it all the way to the quarter finals. In their underdog role and the fans’ iconic ‘viking row’ chants they have taken the world’s hearts by storm.

Haaland is the team’s most distinct player, whom many experts deem one (if not the) best contemporary footballer. That’s the opinion of experts and football enthusiasts.

A Different Kind of Icon

Yet, over the past few weeks, ordinary people (like me) have become acquainted, and, indeed, perhaps even a bit obsessed, with the long-haired Norwegian giant. And it’s not because of his score-goaling. Women like myself have had their social media feed swamped with short video clips of him—and we’re loving it! It’s Erling being goofy, Erling cuddling his bestie Jude Bellingham, Erling starring as a wannabe rap star in a video he and his friends recorded as teenagers, Erling giving interviews and praising others, Erling having heart-felt interactions with his youngest fans, … and on it goes.

Humour, Humility, Kindness

The more the algorithm kept on serving Haaland clips, the more women started commenting. They’re pointing out that this is exactly what they are finding attractive in men: humour, self-reflection, humility, kindness, vulnerability, and openly-shown affection. Women, and now also many men, see Haaland as a symbol for healthy masculinity, and even the neurodivergent community feels seen and validated by his authenticity and quirkyness.

The Poison Around Us

This comes at a time when many online spaces have become more and more dominated by the so-called manosphere. This movement has gained much influence by promoting an extreme form of masculinity. There is overlap with far-right and alt-right communities, the radicalisation of men into misogynist beliefs, and the glorification of violence against women. Other male influencers practice ‘looksmaxxing’. They are obsessed with maximizing their physical attractiveness and rejecting qualities such as kindness and personality. Add to the mix world cup scandals like rape allegations against players, corruption, and racism, and you understand how a funny, humble, kind, and emotionally balanced man like Erling Haaland could become so quickly an icon for the kind of masculinity most women (and many men) had been longing for.

Old Wisdom

Pondering this phenomenon, I notice how Erling’s (and others’) ‘healthy masculinity’ parallels much of ‘healthy Christianity’ and, indeed, ‘healthy personality/society’.

My first thought goes to Paul, who sounds like he’s calling out the manosphere when he’s railing against ‘sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; […] hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy’ and commends the fruits of the Spirit: ‘love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control’ (Gal. 5:15-23). Would he, if he’d be around now, include social media role models in ‘the great cloud of witnesses’ (Heb. 11), I wonder?

I wonder if Mary, pregnant with Jesus, would in this day and age also scroll Instagram, smile at Haaland memes, and—just like back in the day—praise God for ‘scattering those who are proud in their inmost thoughts’ and ‘lifting up the humble’ (Luke 1:51-52).

And of course there is Jesus himself, modelling ‘healthy masculinity’ and ‘health humanity’ by respecting women (e.g. John 4:4-42), being witty (e.g. Mat. 23:24), showing his emotions and crying (John 15:35), celebrating friendship (e.g. John 15:15), and embracing the little ones (Mat. 19:13-15). In the sermon on the mount (Mat. 5-7), he confirms much of what my fellow social media users instinctively recognise as deeply true and appealing. We intuit that the merciful and peacemakers are blessed and that worrying doesn’t add any value to life. We see a person treating opponents with respect and shining their light brightly before others, giving them joy and hope.

Pondering those opposing online trends of toxic versus healthy masculinity that seep into people’s (especially young men’s) daily lives, I can’t help but marvel at Jesus’ wisdom: ‘Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. […] Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. […] Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.’ ( Mat. 7:13-20)

Reality Check

Haaland is not a publicly religious person, unlike some catholic and evangelical footballers (who, in fact, have reaped some criticism in the public eye… But that’s a subject for another day!). Also, social media (or any media) never shows us the whole picture, separates people within their specific bubbles, and regularly fails the complexities of life. This means, for instance, that those who would benefit from having healthy role models usually never come across such positive content in their feeds. While public figures shouldn’t be worshipped and their positive influence won’t solve all our world’s issues, there is much we can take inspiration from.

Taking It Forward

For starters, we are reminded that we Christians have by no means a monopoly on being good and godly people. I also feel a refreshed sense of encouragement to life with integrity, humility and joy, having experienced how one person’s authenticity can have far-reaching ripple effects. You and I may not have 70 million instagram followers, yet being secure in ourselves and emotionally regulated richly enhances our lives and that of those close to us. We are invited to explore what our specific expression of the fruits of the Spirit looks and feels like, and how we can let our light shine before others. This includes also praying for all who stand in the lime light, also and especially the most popular public figures—on both sides of the spectrum—and their followers. They, like us, need God’s guidance and the knowledge of being divinely loved and accepted.

And, if nothing else, spending a couple of weeks with Erling Haaland enriching my social media feed has been refreshing and fun amidst all the bad news around. After all, already Paul urges: ‘Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.’ (Phil. 4:8)