Friends and family have for a few years told Russian model Anastasia Kostromina that she looked like Norwegian striker Erling Haaland, but it was not until he became the World Cup’s superstar that she decided to take that online.
Earlier this month, she posted a video on Instagram highlighting the resemblance to Haaland both in looks and mimicking some of his now trademark mannerisms and distinctive facial expressions. It soon spread and gathered 6.4 million likes.
“At first, I did not even know what was happening, it felt like a dream,” Kostromina told AFP in Moscow, saying she “never expected” the video to go so viral. “But I’m happy about it anyway,” the 24-year-old added.
Haaland, 25, has been the social media sensation of the World Cup, with the Manchester City player now counting 68.8 million followers on social media.
Haaland sparkled at the tournament scoring seven times including a double against Brazil in their last 16 match as Norway reached the quarter finals only to lose 2-1 to England.