Norwayβs striker Erling Haaland spent his summer in the United States playing in the World Cup, and returned home with a unique souvenir.
The 25-year-old soccer star made headlines when he was photographed carrying a taxidermy raccoon holding an empty liquor bottle when getting off a plane at Osloβs Gardermoen Airport on July 13.
Sharing a photo from his arrival to his X account, Haaland quipped, βIt followed me home.β
As the photos of him and his gift went viral, it caught the attention of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), who shared some thoughts on what people can and canβt fly with.
βWeβre getting some questions about flying with taxidermy raccoons holding empty liquor bottles,β reads TSAβs July 14 message on social media. βItβs ok with us but pls check with your airline first.β
The taxidermy raccoon was purchased during his visit to Wild Billβs Western Store in Dallas, according to the local store. On their Instagram story, they shared Haalandβs photo and commented, βWe know that raccoon! so cool seeing our little raccoon made it to Norway.β
Haaland filmed his visit to the store and shared the experience in a July 3 YouTube video he titled βNorwayβs Texas Takeover.β
The 10-minute vlog shows the athlete trying on a variety of western wear, including boots and hats. It appears that he purchased βfour hats, three winter hats and one summerβ hat, according to the salesman in the video.
While shopping around, Haaland also expressed interest in a shirt that said, βYβall can kiss my Dallas.β
Haaland, who became an online sensation for U.S. World Cup viewers, couldnβt believe how welcoming everyone was.
βUnbelievable, so nice. Iβm coming back here,β he said. βPeople are so nice here. So positive. Donβt know what it is, theyβre… enjoying life. Itβs amazing.β
Haaland and the rest of Team Norway were unfortunately eliminated during the quarterfinals. They returned to their home country after they lost to England on July 11.