Erling Haaland shares photos drinking traditional mate

Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has shared social media posts featuring himself drinking mate, a traditional South American infusion. Haaland credited Argentine footballers Julián Álvarez, Enzo Fernández, and Gerónimo Rulli for introducing him to the beverage.

Mate is a culturally significant drink in Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay, prepared from the dried leaves of the yerba mate plant. It is typically consumed from a gourd using a metal straw called a bombilla. The drink is widely recognized in the football world, having been famously enjoyed by Lionel Messi.

Haaland’s interest in the drink appears linked to his time playing alongside Álvarez at Manchester City between 2022 and 2024. The post drew significant engagement from fans and fellow players, including comments from Álvarez and Fernández.