Erling Haaland has been excellent on the field for Manchester City and the Norwegian striker is now embracing something off the field. In a recent social media post, the big forward publicly thanked three
Argentine players for introducing him to mate, the iconic South American drink that has long been a staple of football culture in Argentina and Uruguay. He shared a photo of himself in an airport lounge, holding a classic metal mate gourd filled with the distinctive green yerba. In the caption he wrote a simple message thanking Jullian Alvarez, Enzo Fernandez and Geronimo Rulli.
Erling Haaland thanked his new and former Argentina teammates, Julián Álvarez, Enzo Fernández and Gerónimo Rulli, for introducing him to mate 🧉 🔥 https://t.co/1cWZa6SpOA
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) October 18, 2026
ESPN FC quickly picked up the post and posted the friendly exchange between the players on social media. This post went viral on social media. Mate is more than just a drink and it is a ritual. The gourd is shared, the metal bombilla is used by everyone, and the act of preparing and passing it often becomes a quiet bonding moment. For Argentine players especially, it travels with them from club to club and country to country.
Álvarez and Fernandez both spent time alongside Haaland at Manchester City before moving on, while Rulli has represented Argentina at the highest level. Their shared language and culture has left an impression on the Norwegian player.
Erling Haaland discovers the culture behind Argentina’s Mate tradition
Mate has a long history in South American football. Generations of players have carried the gourd into training grounds and team hotels. It offers a mild caffeine lift without the intensity of coffee, and the shared nature of the drink encourages conversation. For foreign players joining Argentine-heavy squads, accepting a mate can feel like an invitation into the group.
Haaland’s public appreciation shows he understood that invitation and is happy to keep the habit going. Fans responded positively in the comments because the post felt heartfelt. A world-class athlete sitting quietly with a mate gourd has become the talking point. Whether the Norwegian continues the ritual long-term remains to be seen, but the public thank-you already did its job. It also highlights how the quiet influence teammates can have on each other.
