Manchester City striker Erling Haaland was asked to identified himself to balaclava-clad police during an armed raid on a Marbella beach club.
♦ Norwegian enjoying summer break
♦ Has headed from France to Spain
♦ Drama during relaxing vacation
WHAT HAPPENED?
The 23-year-old striker is enjoying his summer break after helping City to a historic Premier League title triumph in 2023-24 – with the prolific Norwegian landing himself another Golden Boot along the way. He has no football to contend with at present after failing to help his country to Euro 2024.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Haaland is making the most of an opportunity to let his hair down, with time spent in France before heading to southern Spain. He is a regular visitor to Marbella and the popular Playa Padre club. His latest visit has, however, proved to be memorable for all of the wrong reasons.
DID YOU KNOW?
Haaland was forced to show ID after seeing security forces in riot gear force their way into the bar in question, while a helicopter circled overhead. A similar raid recently took place at the famous Ocean Beach club in Puerto Banus, with local police clamping down as part of the Operation Marbella project.
WHAT NEXT?
Tourists have been told to brace themselves for unscheduled and unexpected raids, with police forces eager to point out that “there’s nothing serious going on” and they are merely completing “routine” checks. Haaland – who was captured parting with DJs at a Marbella nightspot last week – may think twice before heading back to the region in future.