What Happened When Tom Holland Tried to DM Football Star Erling Haaland?

In a recent appearance on Jimmy Fallon's show, Tom Holland shared a humorous tale about his attempt to DM football star Erling Haaland. The actor's message went unanswered, leading to a 'humbling' experience that he never expected to discuss on live television. Holland recounted how he was inspired to reach out to Haaland after spotting him at the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix. Despite the rejection, Holland maintained a light-hearted attitude about the situation, joking about whether Haaland would still want to have dinner with him after their encounter. This amusing story highlights the unexpected moments that can occur when celebrities try to connect with each other.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 14, 2026, 18:56 IST

Tom Holland's Humbling Experience with Erling Haaland

Los Angeles: Tom Holland, the Hollywood star known for his role in the upcoming film The Odyssey, recently shared an amusing story about reaching out to Norwegian football sensation Erling Haaland.

During an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Holland disclosed that his attempt to connect with Haaland via a direct message was met with silence. He humorously described the experience as 'humbling'.

The host, Jimmy Fallon, mentioned a post on social media that suggested Holland had sent a DM to the 25-year-old footballer, asking if it was true. Holland confirmed, saying, 'Erling Haaland had no idea who I was when I reached out. He doesn’t watch movies, so he probably thought I was just some random guy.'

Holland elaborated on the experience, stating, 'Yes, I did DM him, and honestly, it’s the kind of humbling moment that actors need. You think, 'I’ll text him, we’ll go out for dinner,' and then you get nothing back—not even a 'I’m busy' or 'I’m playing football'—just silence.'

He recounted seeing Haaland at the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix earlier this month, which prompted him to send the message. 'I was watching Lewis Hamilton race and spotted him in a hospitality suite across from me, so I thought I’d take a chance and text him,' Holland explained.

Reflecting on the rejection, he joked, 'I never thought I’d be discussing this on live TV, but here we are.' When Fallon asked if he would still want to have dinner with Haaland, Holland replied, 'I doubt he’d want to after what happened,' referencing the recent England-Norway World Cup match.