Erling Haaland arrived back in Norway on Monday carrying an unusual souvenir: a taxidermied raccoon tucked under his arm as he disembarked at Gardermoen airport shortly after 7 p.m. local time.
The Norwegian men's national team touched down following their World Cup quarter-final elimination, a 2-1 extra-time defeat to England that ended their tournament run. Haaland, the 25-year-old Leeds-born striker, scored seven goals in five matches before Norway's exit.
The squad now heads to the Royal Palace in Oslo, where King Harald V has invited the entire roster for an audience. Crown Prince Haakon extended the invitation in the locker room immediately after the England loss. The team is scheduled to row with spectators alongside Crown Prince Haakon, Princess Alexandra, and Prince Sverre Magnus.