sport news Alf-Inge Haaland is the fiery father behind Erling's hot streak trends now
Erling Haaland has hogged the headlines all season. And rightly so. With 51 goals this campaign - and counting - fans have become accustomed to seeing the Norwegian's name plastered across the front pages.
Yet, as the hour mark passed at the Bernabeu on Tuesday, with Manchester City trailing by a goal against reigning Champions League winners Real Madrid, it seemed Haaland would finally be out of the headlines. At least for positive reasons.
Real Madrid's experienced defence shackled the FWA Footballer of the Year and kept him uncharacteristically quiet throughout the match, as David Alaba and Antonio Rudiger matched him for size, strength and pace.
Sure enough, soon after Kevin De Bruyne rocketed City's equaliser past Thibaut Courtois, the name 'Haaland' was back at the centre of attention. This time, it was his father.
The Norwegian striker played no part in the build-up for City's goal, nor did he kick on to dismantle Madrid with a blitz of second-half goals. It was his father, Alf-Inge, who jumped into the spotlight for his overexuberant nature in the stands.
Erling Haaland's father Alf-Inge goaded Real Madrid's fans during Manchester City's 1-1 draw at the Bernabeu on Tuesday - and was escorted out of a VIP box for unsettling home supporters
The Norwegian striker - who won FWA Footballer of the Year on Friday - endured a rare off night against Real Madrid, while his father stole the headlines for his overzealous behaviour
Alf-Inge appeared to make an obscene gesture towards a group of supporters at the Bernabeu
He was escorted out of a VIP box at the Bernabeu after clashing with the home supporters, having reportedly hurled insults and peanuts - something he has since denied - at Madrid fans below him.
The 50-year-old father, who took to social media to deny all allegations besides simply celebrating De Bruyne's goal, was filmed cupping his ears to the Real Madrid fans and also appeared to make an obscene gesture as disgruntled chanting continued in his direction.
Following Tuesday's antics, one aspect of Alf-Inge's character remains readily apparent. Erling's fiery father is still very childish at heart.
And, in many ways, that analysis makes sense.
Firstly, the ex-Nottingham Forest, Leeds and Man City man was forced to cut short his playing career because of injury - after a horror challenge from Roy Keane - and thus missed out on a gradual and mellowing journey into retirement.
Furthermore, Alf hasn't taken up any regular post-retirement responsibilities such as first-team management, coaching or punditry, so it's no wonder the ex-Premier League star is channeling the success and excitement of son Erling's career, even if a little over-zealously.
Alf-Inge's career as a player was curtailed prematurely through injury, as he never quite recovered from Roy Keane's horror tackle during the 2001 Manchester derby at Old Trafford
The gritty midfielders produced one of the most explosive feuds in Premier League history
Since his retirement, Alf-Inge has nurtured his son into one of the best footballers in the world
The former midfielder's spirited - and at times combustible - nature provoked one of the Premier League's most explosive feuds ever in what more or less led to his career-ending injury.
