BUENOS AIRES - The love of football reaches far and wide, so much so that Peruvian census officials have announced that 563 people in the South American country are named after Norway and Manchester City forward Erling Haaland.
Norway faces England in their first ever men's World Cup quarter-final later on Saturday in Miami. Haaland has already scored seven goals at the tournament and another strong performance could have implications beyond the pitch.
Peruvian national registry Reniec posted on social media that 468 Peruvians are named Haaland. Erling Haaland is the name of 91 people, while four Peruvians share his full name, Erling Braut Haaland.
"Haaland is also a Peruvian," the post said, with an AI image of Haaland in a traditional Peruvian hat holding a stuffed cuddly toy llama.
Peru did not qualify for the World Cup, and his goalscoring feats for Manchester City are likely the main reason for his namesakes. - BERNAMA