Tom Holland, the acclaimed actor known for his role as Spider-Man, recently shared an amusing anecdote during his appearance on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.” On the show, which aired on 13 July, Holland revealed that he sent a direct message to renowned Norwegian football player Erling Haaland, only to be met with silence.
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This unexpected social media encounter took place after Holland spotted Haaland at the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix earlier in June. The actor was taken by the moment, as he watched racing legend Lewis Hamilton while noting Haaland’s presence in a hospitality suite nearby. Feeling emboldened, Holland decided to reach out to the athlete, hoping to arrange a casual meeting. However, it seems Haaland remained blissfully unaware of Holland’s celebrity status, leading to an unresponsive situation.
When prompted by Fallon about whether the claim of sending a direct message was true, Holland sheepishly confirmed, stating, “Yes, and I tell you what, that is exactly the type of humbling experience that is important for actors.” He expressed a light-hearted frustration at not receiving even a brief acknowledgment from the football star. “Not an excuse, not ‘I’m busy tonight, I’m playing football,’ nada,” Holland lamented.
The actor later expressed astonishment over having to discuss his unreciprocated DM on live television, jokingly reflecting on the incident’s unexpected reach. Fallon seized upon the opportunity to quiz Holland further about whether he would still be interested in dining with Haaland, to which Holland quipped, “I don’t think he would have dinner with me after the other day.” This remark seemingly alluded to the recent England vs. Norway match in which England triumphed, knocking Norway out of the World Cup contention.
During the match held at Miami Stadium on 11 July, England secured a 2-1 victory, which led the team to advance to the semifinals. The defeat was evidently still fresh in the minds of both athletes, as Holland humorously noted Haaland’s disappointment, leading Fallon to reply with, “Yeah, he’s probably hurting a little bit.”
To demonstrate there were no ill feelings regarding the match or the ignored message, Holland went on to commend Haaland’s performance, labelling him as “incredible” and an “absolute legend.” This praise underscores Holland’s admiration for the athlete, despite their brief and unengaging social media interaction.
Haaland, who currently plays for Manchester City, has publicly expressed his support for England in the tournament. Following their defeat, he indicated in a clip shared on ESPN UK that he harboured hopes for the English team. “I’ve been supporting; I think I got an England jersey before I got a Norway jersey when I was young,” he remarked, showing appreciation for both the country and its football culture.
When discussing England’s journey in the World Cup, Holland conveyed a sense of optimism about their chances of winning, declaring that the team reaching the semifinals was a “huge deal.” He stated, “It feels like something is in the air right now,” hinting at the excitement and anticipation surrounding the tournament.
Overall, Holland’s experience with Haaland highlights the sometimes humorous gaps in fame and recognition, particularly when the worlds of film and sports collide. It serves as a reminder that even those who are massive stars in their respective fields may sometimes find themselves unrecognised by others, with occasional delightful outcomes, as illustrated by Holland’s amiable recounting of the incident.