Erling Haaland — who is known as the “internet’s golden boy striker” — plays for the Norwegian national team at this year’s World Cup. He recently made headlines after his major purchase of a 16th-century Christian manuscript.
Erling and his father, Alf-Inge Haaland, paid $134,000 for this rare manuscript dating back to 1594.
Written by Snorri Sturluson, an Icelandic chieftain, poet, and historian who was a devout Christian, the Heimskringla is a manuscript made up of Viking sagas telling the stories of medieval Norse kings, queens, farmers, and warriors and documents the history of the spread of Christianity in Norway.
It is believed to be the only surviving copy from the 13th century by the Icelandic scholar, though the manuscript was translated in the 16th century by Danish scholar Mattis Størssøn.
Written in Old Norse, the Heimskringla also mentions Norway’s most famous saint, King Olaf Haraldsson, who converted to Catholicism. His legacy continues to shape Norwegian identity a thousand years after his death.
Instead of keeping the manuscript to themselves, the Haaland family donated it to the public library in their hometown of Bryne in Southwestern Norway.
“I want the book always to lie open so that people can read about those who came from where I come from, from Bryne and Jæren,” Haaland said to Norwegian media. “I’ve been lucky enough to live out my dream through football, and I know not everyone gets that chance. Books give so many more people the chance to dream big, see new possibilities and find their own path.”
You can read more about this rare text here.