5 Things to Know About Martin Munene, Kenya's Erling Haaland Lookalike

Erling Haaland is a name that strikes fear into Premier League defenders. The Norwegian striker has shattered records since joining Manchester City and continues to dominate the scoring charts.

However, thousands of miles away from the Etihad Stadium, a Kenyan man named Martin Munene is making his own headlines for his uncanny resemblance to the football star.

In an exclusive phone call interview with Mpasho journalist Moses Sagwe, the man now famously known as the "Kenyan Haaland" shared his journey from an ordinary worker to a viral digital creator.

A Case of Mistaken Identity

For a long time, Munene was unaware that he looked like one of the most famous athletes on the planet.

The realisation only came when he started hearing the name "Haaland" shouted at him in the streets of Nairobi.

"One day I was wearing a Manchester City jersey—I usually like blue colours—and while walking in town, people started shouting, ‘Haaland, that is Haaland’," Munene told Mpasho.

The final confirmation came during a casual game of pool. A fellow player remarked on the resemblance in his local Kikuyu dialect. Intrigued by the constant comparisons, Munene went home to investigate.

"I sat down and googled Haaland’s pictures to confirm," he explained. "Before that, I didn’t realise I looked like Haaland; it’s people who told me."

From the Spa to TikTok

At the time of his discovery, Munene was working at a spa. It was a regular client—a model who frequented the business—who gave him the push to take his resemblance to social media.

ALSO READ: ''Erling Salad?'' Kenyan Man Goes Viral for Striking Resemblance to Man City Star Erling Haaland

She pointed out the potential of his look, telling him, "You are broke, yet you resemble Haaland. Why can’t you try doing Haaland content? Maybe you might go far, or someday you might meet him."

Taking her advice to heart, Munene began creating content on TikTok, where his popularity quickly surged.

Dreams of Manchester

Despite his growing fame in Kenya, Munene has his sights set on a global meeting. He frequently tags the Manchester City striker in his posts, hoping for a response.

"I usually tag him every time, but maybe he is busy; he can’t see my texts because a lot of people are following him," Munene said. "But I hope one day he will see it."

If the two ever meet, Munene has a specific plan. He wants to host Haaland in a Kenyan salon.

"I usually see he shaves sideways, then we will dye his hair as he likes it," he joked. Beyond grooming, his dream involves a trip to the United Kingdom to shadow his idol.

"I will tell him I’d like to stay with him there, walk with him everywhere, and even train with him so that I can be like him."

"If he sees my DM and invites me to Manchester, it will be a dream come true."

Handling the Critics

Viral fame often comes with a darker side: online trolls. Football fans are known for their banter, which can sometimes cross the line into mean-spirited comments. However, Munene remains unfazed by the negativity.

He chooses to protect his mental health by simply not engaging with the "haters." He described himself as a "simple guy" who rarely gets angry.

"I usually don’t respond; I just keep quiet because I know if I continue arguing, I will get angrier," he noted.