On 13/7, an image of Haaland disembarking a plane in Norway with a stuffed raccoon attracted 4 million interactions. Sharing on his personal account, the forward wrote, "It followed me home", accompanying it with a photo of him hugging the stuffed animal as he exited the plane.

Erling Haaland disembarking a plane with a stuffed raccoon. Photo: Jan Langhaughaug/AP

The stuffed raccoon, holding a bottle, was purchased by the 25-year-old forward at Wild Bill’s Western Store, a renowned Western-themed souvenir shop in Dallas, Texas, for 750 USD (approximately 20 million dong). The souvenir sold out within eight hours of Haaland posting the image on social media.

Julie Newport, owner of Wild Bill's Western Store, stated that the "Whiskey Raccoon" stuffed animal had limited supply because the artisan who performed the taxidermy work had retired. After the product sold out, the store's website announced that it was restocking and would soon have another sale.

The souvenir is not an industrially produced plush toy made of fabric and synthetic stuffing. Each item is a bio-art sculpture. The artisan must treat the real animal's skin and fur through complex chemical processes to preserve its natural luster, then create an artificial skeletal frame using plaster or foam.

Currently, the Norwegian forward is appealing to fans on Instagram to vote on a name for the raccoon. His proposed options include Cowboy, Ranger, TEX, and R.O.W. (short for Raccoon On Wheels). Of these, R.O.W. is receiving the most support from fans.

The store's website announced the souvenir was sold out. Screenshot

During his shopping trip in Texas, Haaland also purchased other items rich in Southern US culture, such as cowboy hats and boots, a belt with a longhorn buckle, and a T-shirt with local inscriptions. On his personal page, Haaland posted a check-in photo at the store in his new attire, accompanied by the characteristic Texas greeting, "Howdy".

Previously, the 25-year-old forward consistently attracted attention through videos documenting his travel, cultural, and culinary experiences in the US. The player bought a cowboy hat and remarked that it made him look like a "real cowboy". He also frequently used a Southern accent when interacting with local fans.

Before leaving the US, Haaland posted a selfie on a bus, wearing a backward cap and sunglasses. Accompanied by a US flag emoji, he wrote, "Goodbye to an emotional summer journey". Haaland's Norwegian national team concluded their World Cup journey after a one-two loss to the English national team in the quarter-finals.

Mai Phuong (According to The Independent, 7news)