Russian model, Anastasia Kostromina, has become an internet sensation after a video highlighting her striking resemblance to Norway and Manchester City striker Erling Haaland attracted millions of views on social media.
For years, relatives and friends had told the 24-year-old that she looked like the Norwegian forward, but she only decided to share the comparison online after Haaland’s standout performances at the FIFA World Cup.
Earlier this month, Kostromina uploaded an Instagram video in which she recreated Haaland’s signature facial expressions and mannerisms while drawing attention to their similar appearance.
The clip quickly went viral, amassing 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, emerged as one of the biggest stars of the World Cup, scoring seven goals, including a brace against Brazil in the round of 16, as Norway advanced to the quarter-finals before suffering a 2-1 defeat to England.
The tournament also boosted the striker’s online popularity, with his social media following growing to 68.8 million.
Kostromina admitted she was initially unsure how to react when people compared her to the towering footballer but eventually learned to embrace the resemblance.
“At first, to be honest, I didn’t even understand how I could possibly resemble a male football player. But then I started to take it with a sense of humour and now I’m completely fine with it.”
She said she backed Norway throughout the World Cup and was disappointed by their elimination.
“I was really rooting for them and was on the edge of my seat,” she said of their last game in the competition.
Russia was absent from the World Cup after remaining largely excluded from international sporting events following its 2022 offensive in Ukraine.
Kostromina, who is represented by Moscow-based Motion Model Management, also expressed hope that the Norwegian striker would eventually come across her viral clip.
“I hoped that Haaland will see my video, maybe even laugh.”
