Norway's Football Star Erling Haaland Has Become A Huge Meme In China After He Starred In An Ad For A Herbal Tea
In the ad, Haaland performs in Mandarin-language scenes built around football, summer heat and a jingle that plays on the sound of his name.
Norwegian Football player Erling Haaland has become an internet sensation in China, with people reimagining him as a romantic lead from a popular Chinese fictional mobile dating game.
Haaland, a forward for Manchester City and Norway's most famous football player, is known for his massive frame, mechanical scoring record and intense, glaring celebrations.
In early June, Haaland became global brand ambassador for WALOVI, the international arm of Wang Lao Ji, a popular Chinese herbal tea brand.
In the ad, Haaland performs in Mandarin-language scenes built around football, summer heat and a jingle that plays on the sound of his name.
The ad went viral on Chinese social media, with people on Chinese social media creating edits reimagining Haaland as a romantic lead from “Love and Deepspace,” a popular Chinese mobile dating game where players romance fictional male characters.
Fans also gave Haaland nicknames ranging from "Nordic cyborg" to “Habao,” or “Ha Baby.”
Haaland himself appears to embrace the joke rather than avoid it, replying to fans asking if he is a robot, saying, “Maybe I am, sometimes.”
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