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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Tom Murray

Erling Haaland finally responds to Tom Holland’s dinner invitation after ‘humbling’ Spider-Man star

Erling Haaland will meet Spider-Man after all.

The Norwegian football star has finally responded to the Marvel superhero actor after Holland revealed that Haaland left his dinner invitation on read.

Holland — who is currently on the promotional trail for Christopher Nolan’s blockbuster adaptation of The Odyssey — told the story on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Monday.

Holland said he messaged the Manchester City striker after spotting him in a nearby hospitality suite at the Monaco Grand Prix last month, explaining: “And I just thought I’d shoot my shot, sent him a text. I never imagined I’d talk about it on live television, but here we are!”

He told Fallon: “That is the exact type of humbling experience that is important for actors.

“Like, ‘I’ll text him, I’ll take him for dinner’. Not even a response. Not an excuse, not ‘I’m busy tonight, I’m playing football’. Nada.”

When Fallon asked if the invitation was still open, Holland referenced England’s World Cup quarter-final win over Norway, joking: “I don’t think he’d have dinner with me after the other day.”

However, after The Tonight Show shared a clip of Holland telling his story, the soccer star finally responded.

“Dinner invitation accepted @tomholland2013,” Haaland commented on the post. “A little late… Just name the place!”

Haaland  scored seven goals for his home nation during their incredible run in the 2026 World Cup (Reuters)
Haaland scored seven goals for his home nation during their incredible run in the 2026 World Cup (Reuters)
Holland plays Telemachus in Christopher Nolan’s epic film ‘The Odyssey’ (Universal Pictures)
Holland plays Telemachus in Christopher Nolan’s epic film ‘The Odyssey’ (Universal Pictures)

Haaland previously revealed his side of the story during an appearance on the Norwegian version of The Assembly.

“This is a bit embarrassing, to be completely honest,” he said. “We were in Monaco at the Formula 1, and then I got a message. I don’t watch movies much, so I have no idea who people are.

“There was one asking if we could go out for dinner, but I’d never seen him, so I didn’t bother to answer. I didn’t want to answer an unknown person.”

The Manchester City forward has been one of the most talked-about players at this summer’s World Cup, which was Norway’s first in 28 years.

The 25-year-old scored seven goals for his home nation during their incredible run in the tournament – which was brought to an end by England.

Holland, meanwhile, has spoken publicly about being a lifelong Spurs fan and has attended numerous matches at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, making a potential friendship with Haaland all the more surprising.

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