Erling Haaland returned to Oslo with a taxidermied raccoon posed drinking from a bottle after Norway's exit from the 2022 FIFA World Cup [1].
The arrival of the novelty item, dubbed the “Whiskey Raccoon,” highlights the eccentric public persona of one of soccer's most prominent stars. While the team's tournament performance ended in disappointment, the striker's choice of souvenir drew significant international attention during the squad's homecoming.
Haaland arrived at the airport in Oslo on Dec. 4, 2022 [2], carrying the stuffed animal as the team touched down. The taxidermied raccoon reportedly cost $750 [3]. The item served as a quirky memento from his time in the United States during the tournament run.
“It followed me home,” Haaland said as he touched down in Norway [4].
The striker presented the animal as a gift for his teammates to remember the trip. “I’m bringing a raccoon home — it’s a little piece of the U.S. for the squad,” Haaland said [5].
The image of the striker holding the raccoon went viral across social media platforms. The raccoon's specific pose, clutching a bottle of whiskey, added to the novelty of the purchase. The event occurred immediately following the conclusion of Norway's competitive play in the tournament [1].
Despite the humor surrounding the “Whiskey Raccoon,” the homecoming marked the end of a challenging period for the national team. Haaland's lighthearted approach to the return provided a stark contrast to the typical somber atmosphere following a World Cup elimination [2].
““It followed me home,” Haaland said as he touched down in Norway.”
This incident underscores the role of individual athlete branding in the modern era, where off-field eccentricities often generate as much engagement as on-field performance. By introducing a humorous element to a disappointing team exit, Haaland utilized a personal quirk to pivot the media narrative away from the tournament loss and toward his own idiosyncratic public image.
