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Soccer fans in China are rooting for Norway's Erling Haaland, their ‘Ha Bao'
By Dawn Liu, Erin Tan and Janis Mackey Frayer | NBC News at NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS)
· July 9, 2026
· 4 min read
There may not be any Chinese players at this year’s World Cup, but China has found its own soccer hero: Norwegian striker Erling Haaland.
The 6-foot-4 Manchester City star is a sensation on Chinese social media, where fans affectionately refer to him as “Ha Bao,” which translates to “Baby Ha.”...
Key takeaway ” “I never thought I’d end up liking another footballer after Cristiano Ronaldo,” Gum Li, a 34-year-old from Guangdong province, told NBC News via a messaging app on Wednesday.
Why this matters in The Trophy Club
Trophy Club residents with a passion for soccer are likely following the World Cup, and while there may not be any local players on the global stage, the phenomenon of Erling Haaland's popularity in China has interesting implications for the sport's growth in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. As a community with a strong interest in international events, Trophy Club may see increased enthusiasm for soccer among its residents, particularly if Haaland's charisma and skills continue to captivate fans worldwide. The fact that Haaland has amassed a massive following on Chinese social media in just a month suggests that the sport's appeal can transcend borders and cultures, which could have a positive impact on local soccer programs and initiatives in Trophy Club. As the World Cup continues, it will be interesting to see how Haaland's success affects the local soccer scene and whether it inspires more residents to get involved in the sport.
About this story
Original reporting by NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) . The Trophy Club surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 9, 2026 ·
Source: NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) ·
Reading time: 4 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? There may not be any Chinese players at this year’s World Cup, but China has found its own soccer hero: Norwegian striker Erling Haaland.
The 6-foot-4 Manchester City star is a sensation on Chinese social media, where fans affectionately refer to him as “Ha Bao,” which translates to “Baby Ha.”...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 9, 2026 by NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) and curated for The Trophy Club readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Dawn Liu, Erin Tan and Janis Mackey Frayer | NBC News at NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS). To learn more about how The Trophy Club selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Trophy Club, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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