Model Goes Viral for Looking Like Haaland

Russian model Anastasia Kostromina has been hearing from friends and family for years that she resembles Norwegian striker Erling Haaland. But it was only after Haaland became a World Cup star that she decided to share it online.

Earlier this month, she posted a video on Instagram showing how much she looks like Haaland. She also mimicked his unique mannerisms and facial expressions.

The video quickly went viral, racking up 6.4 million likes.

“At first, I did not even know what was happening, it felt like a dream,” Kostromina told AFP in Moscow. She said she “never expected” the video to gain such popularity.

“But I’m happy about it anyway,” the 24-year-old added.

Haaland, 25, has become a social media star during the World Cup. The Manchester City player now has 68.8 million followers on social media.

He impressed at the tournament, scoring seven goals, including two against Brazil in the last 16. Norway reached the quarter-finals but lost 2-1 to England.

Kostromina had mixed feelings when she first heard she looked like the tall footballer, but now she has accepted it.

“At first, to be honest, I didn’t even understand how I could possibly resemble a male football player. But then I started to take it with a sense of humour and now I’m completely fine with it.”

Naturally, she supported Norway during the World Cup and felt sad when they lost.

“I was really rooting for them and was on the edge of my seat,” she said about their last match in the competition.

Since the 2022 Ukraine conflict, Russia has faced a ban from most international sports and did not participate in the World Cup.

Kostromina, who is with Moscow-based Motion Model Management, hopes Haaland will “see my video, maybe even laugh.”