Forget your predictions about whether a world-class striker spends his downtime simulating his own sport or perfecting his virtual golf swing. In a revelation that feels both perfectly organic and oddly surprising, Manchester City’s goal machine Erling Haaland has declared his single, definitive gaming obsession: Grand Theft Auto.
The Social Sanctuary of Los Santos
Contrary to the solitary, grind-heavy image of a pro athlete training on FIFA, Haaland’s approach to gaming is fundamentally social. In a video shared by GTA 6 Countdown channels, the forward emphasized that his play sessions are inseparable from hanging out with friends. He isn’t chasing meta-builds or leaderboard rankings in GTA Online; he’s using the sprawling, anarchic playground of Los Santos as the ultimate digital hangout space. “I don’t play if I don’t play with my friends,” Haaland stated. “We just talk about whatever, play the game, oh, it’s so nice.”
This insight reframes the appeal of a title like GTA V, a game nearing its twelfth year on the market. For Haaland and his circle, its longevity isn’t just about the heists or the constant stream of updates. It’s about the consistency of the world itself—a persistent, shared environment where conversation and casual chaos flow together seamlessly. It’s the gaming equivalent of a virtual pub, a space detached from the intense pressure of his day job where the only objective is connection and fun. This is a powerful testament to the social engine that has kept Rockstar’s masterpiece relevant far beyond its initial graphical and narrative splendor.
A Desert Island Pick and a Top-Tier Throwback Trio
When posed the classic “desert island” scenario—if you could only take one game with you forever—Haaland’s answer was instantaneous: “GTA.” The choice underscores the franchise’s perceived infinite replayability, a sandbox where one can always find a new corner, a new absurd stunt to attempt, or a new way to interact with its systems. While he’s admittedly referring to GTA V for now, his eager addendum, “I can’t wait for the new one,” signals that GTA VI is almost certainly poised to inherit that crown upon its late 2026 arrival.
Perhaps more revealing than his top pick are the other games installed on his system. Haaland casually name-dropped two titans from gaming’s recent past that continue to command dedicated player bases: the original Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 and Minecraft. He places the 2009 corridor-shooter classic in his “top three ever games,” a nod to the pure, unadulterated multiplayer chaos that defined an era before seasonal battle passes and complex weapon meta. Pairing that with the boundless creative freedom of Minecraft paints a picture of a gamer with broad, refined tastes. He appreciates both tightly crafted, high-octane competitive action and serene, open-ended creation.
Why EA FC Doesn’t Make the Starting Lineup
The most predictable choice for a footballer—the annual soccer sim—is conspicuously absent from Haaland’s highlighted list. This isn’t a slight against EA Sports FC; it’s a logical separation of spheres. For a professional at the peak of his sport, firing up a simulation of his own workplace likely holds little appeal as a form of relaxation. The mental and tactical load is already immense in reality. Gaming, for Haaland, appears to be a deliberate escape into entirely different worlds—whether that’s the criminal underworld of Vice City, the gritty battlefields of a classic Call of Duty, or the blocky landscapes of Mojang’s masterpiece.
This choice reflects a broader trend among athletes who game. They often gravitate towards genres that provide a complete contrast to their professional lives. The pressure to perform, the repetitive training, and the intense scrutiny are left at the login screen. In Los Santos, Haaland isn’t a striker under a microscope; he’s just another player causing mayhem with his friends, free from the offside rule or the expectations of a fanbase. It’s a healthier, more sustainable relationship with gaming, using it as a tool for mental reset rather than an extension of vocational pressure.
Haaland’s gaming persona ultimately dismantles the stereotype of the one-dimensional athlete. He’s a testament to the universal language of play, showing that the appeal of a well-crafted virtual world—especially one shared with friends—transcends profession and fame. His desert island pick reaffirms GTA’s status as the ultimate digital toybox, while his roster of favorites reveals a player with a deep appreciation for gaming history and diversity. As we await the next evolution of his favorite franchise with him, one thing is clear: when the final whistle blows, Haaland is just another gamer, headset on, ready to dive into another world.
