MOSCOW: Russian model Anastasia Kostromina has gone viral after sharing a video on Instagram in which she highlighted her remarkable resemblance to Norway and Manchester City striker Erling Haaland.
The video, posted earlier this month, not only showcased her similar facial features but also recreated Haaland’s well-known facial expressions and mannerisms. The clip quickly gained traction across social media, amassing more than 6.4 million likes and drawing widespread attention from football fans around the world.
Speaking to AFP in Moscow, the 24-year-old model said she was overwhelmed by the unexpected response.
“At first, I didn’t even know what was happening. It felt like a dream,” Kostromina said, adding that she had “never expected” the video to become so popular.
She said she was delighted by the positive reaction the video received.
Family and Friends Had Noticed the Similarity Years Ago
According to Kostromina, friends and family had been telling her for several years that she looked like Haaland. However, she only decided to create a social media video after the Norwegian striker emerged as one of the standout stars of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Initially, she found the comparison surprising.
“To be honest, I didn’t understand how I could possibly resemble a male football player,” she said.
Over time, however, she chose to embrace the comparison with a sense of humour.
“Now I take it lightly and I’m completely fine with it.”
Haaland Enjoyed an Outstanding World Cup Campaign
The timing of Kostromina’s viral video coincided with Haaland’s impressive performances at the World Cup, where he established himself as one of the tournament’s biggest stars.
The 25-year-old Manchester City striker scored seven goals, including a brace against Brazil in the Round of 16, helping Norway reach the quarter-finals before the team was eliminated by England in a 2-1 defeat.
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Beyond his performances on the pitch, Haaland has also remained one of football’s biggest social media personalities, with 68.8 million followers across his social media platforms.
Norwegian Team Earned Her Support
Kostromina admitted that her newfound association with Haaland made her an enthusiastic supporter of Norway during the World Cup.
She said she followed the team’s matches closely and was disappointed when Norway’s campaign came to an end.
“I was really cheering for them and was on the edge of my seat,” she said while recalling the team’s final match of the tournament.
Hoping Haaland Sees the Video
Represented by Motion Model Management in Moscow, Kostromina hopes her viral video eventually reaches Haaland himself.
She said she would love for the Norwegian footballer to watch the clip and perhaps find it amusing.
“I hope he’ll see my video, maybe even laugh,” she said.
Russia’s Absence from the World Cup
Russia did not participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as the country has remained largely suspended from international sporting competitions following the outbreak of the Ukraine war in 2022.
Despite her country’s absence from the tournament, Kostromina’s viral resemblance to one of football’s biggest stars has made her an unexpected internet celebrity, proving once again how social media can turn an ordinary moment into a global phenomenon almost overnight.
