Why Erling Haaland Has 'Braut' on the Back of His Norway World Cup Kit

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Erling Haaland made his World Cup debut against Iraq earlier this week. Viewers watching around the world would surely have noticed that he had a second surname on the back of his shirt during the match.

The 25-year-old, considered one of the best strikers in world football, simply uses the name 'Haaland' - his father Alf-Inge's surname - on the back of his Manchester City shirt.

However, at international level, he chooses to have 'Braut-Haaland' on the back of his shirt.

With 'Braut-Haaland' on the back of his jersey, he scored twice at Boston Stadium as Norway emerged comfortable 4-1 victors.

An explanation has now emerged as to why Haaland added 'Braut' to the back of his Norway shirt.

Last August, the striker had ‘Braut’ added to the back of his Norway top. That is the surname of his mother, Gry Marita Braut, which matches the name he uses on social media.

According to the Athletic, this is a tribute to both of his parents’ surnames, and is reflective of Norwegian custom, where it is more common for both maternal and paternal names to be used.

During Haaland's early career at Red Bull Salzburg and Borussia Dortmund, the striker was referred to by the double surname. However, he dropped 'Braut' while playing for the German club and has not used it at club level since.

Norway are participating in their first World Cup since 1998, and just the fourth in their history. It has now been revealed that Haaland's brace against Iraq sparked earth tremors in Norway as a result of the jubilant celebrations.

NORSAR said in a statement, per the Independent: "On Wednesday night, the seismic station in Bergen recorded clear signals near the station from the World Cup match between Norway and Iraq. The largest fluctuations coincide with Erling Braut Haaland's goals, which triggered strong cheers among Norwegian supporters.

"The clearest effects are seen in connection with the Norwegian goals, especially Haaland's two goals. The signals are probably due to cheers and movements among Norwegian supporters who were watching the match in Bergen," the statement went on.

"When many people react simultaneously to big sporting moments, the combined movements can create vibrations in the ground that are recorded by sensitive seismometers."

"So even though Norway didn't trigger an earthquake against Iraq, the cheering of Norwegian fans made the seismic measuring equipment in Bergen shake a little extra."

Norway and Haaland are back in action when they take on Senegal on Monday, June 22.