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Successathletes

When Erling Haaland isn’t playing for Norway in the World Cup, he’s investing in a chess championship and playing an animated Viking

Emma Burleigh
By
Emma Burleigh
Emma Burleigh
Reporter, Success
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Emma Burleigh
By
Emma Burleigh
Emma Burleigh
Reporter, Success
Down Arrow Button Icon
July 10, 2026, 11:22 AM ET
Erling Haaland #9 of Norway
Soccer star Erling Haaland has led Norway to the World Cup quarterfinals—but off the pitch, he’s investing in chess and starring in a Viking movie.Julian Finney - FIFA / Contributor / Getty Images
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Norway is facing off against England in the World Cup quarterfinals—a historic feat for the Scandinavian country that has never advanced this far at a men’s World Cup. And the breakout star of Norway’s soccer team is striker Erling Haaland, whose career accolades are extending well beyond the pitch.

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The Norwegian soccer star is estimated to earn $60 million annually on the field, one of the world’s highest-paid athletes, according to Forbes. But Haaland is also carving out a name in business through Pillage, his Luxembourg-based investment company backing ventures across finance, technology, and real estate. 

Haaland’s latest confirmed business move came in March 2026, when he made an angel investment in Norway Chess. Around the same time, he teamed up with Norwegian businessman Morten Borge in forming Chess Mates, a company built around competitive chess events. Its new tour format, the Total Chess World Championship, will have a minimum prize pool of $2.7 million.

“[Chess] sharpens your mind, and there are clear similarities to football,” Haaland said in a statement earlier this year. “You have to think quickly, trust your instincts, and think several moves ahead.”

He also owns a minority stake in Bon Dep: the Norwegian company behind the hair tie KKNEKKI, which he is a brand sponsor for. The 25-year-old, who sports the hair accessory in his long, blonde hair during games, has been credited with boosting sales for the brand’s Haaland-inspired collection. 

The athlete also holds equity in recovery-tech company Hyperice, as well as Scandinavian luggage brand Db, positioning more of his wealth in long-term assets.

Haaland’s luxury investments: European mansions and Hermès Birkin bags 

Beyond start-ups and brand investments, Haaland has quietly built a broader portfolio, including European real estate and a career in Hollywood.

The Manchester City star is set to make his feature-film debut later this year by voicing an animated version of himself—a Viking warrior named “Haaland”—in Viqueens, an adventure-comedy flick from Norwegian director Harald Zwart, who also made hits like The Karate Kid and Agent Cody Banks.

Meanwhile, some of his luxe properties feature a $7 million mansion in Marbella, Spain; a $3.5 million apartment in Oslo, Norway; and an $8.21 million, 10-bedroom house in Cheshire, England, according to The Sun. 

And the Gen Z soccer star frequently goes viral for his eye-watering collection of Hermès Birkin bags, which typically cost tens of thousands of dollars. The multimillionaire also owns an envy-worthy collection of expensive cars—including Rolls-Royce, Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi. 

‘The Terminator’ of soccer could make World Cup history for Norway 

Haaland is best known for his explosive speed, imposing 6’4″ frame, and ruthless finishing in front of goal. Dubbed “The Terminator” for his clinical scoring ability, the Norwegian forward is one of the most feared strikers in competitive sport. 

And as the son of former Premier League midfielder Alf-Inge Haaland, he’s carrying on the family legacy on the global stage.

The 25-year-old burst onto the scene with Red Bull Salzburg in 2019, later joining Borussia Dortmund in 2020, but became a recognizable face after switching over to Manchester City in 2022. 

Since then, Haaland has won multiple Premier League titles, helped his team secure its first UEFA Champions League trophy, broken the Premier League single-season scoring record, and claimed the European Golden Shoe. 

He has already scored over 300 career goals for club and country. And now, he has a shot at winning the FIFA World Cup title for a country that has never even reached the semi-finals of the tournament. 

The Fortune 500 Innovation Forum will convene Fortune 500 executives, U.S. policy officials, top founders, and thought leaders to help define what’s next for the American economy, Nov. 16-17 in Detroit. Apply here.
About the Author
Emma Burleigh
By Emma BurleighReporter, Success

Emma Burleigh is a reporter at Fortune, covering success, careers, entrepreneurship, and personal finance. Before joining the Success desk, she co-authored Fortune’s CHRO Daily newsletter, extensively covering the workplace and the future of jobs. Emma has also written for publications including the Observer and The China Project, publishing long-form stories on culture, entertainment, and geopolitics. She has a joint-master’s degree from New York University in Global Journalism and East Asian Studies.

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