Football: Unbelievable but True, #2

At the age of five, Haaland reportedly recorded a standing long jump of 1.63 metres. The result has circulated as an unofficial world record for a five-year-old. It was never formally registered by an international governing body, but it does offer a glimpse of his extraordinary explosiveness even as a child.

He was almost born into a genetic sporting experiment. His father, Alfie, played in the Premier League and represented Norway. His mother, Gry Marita Braut, was a successful heptathlete; his grandmother and great-grandmother set local athletics records; and his great-uncle, Gabriel Høyland, won 23 caps for Norway.