He may not have left the World Cup with a trophy but Erling Haaland has returned home with something even better.

The Norwegian striker has become an internet sensation during the 2026 FIFA World Cup competition with his ferocious goal-scoring skills and hunkering Viking-esque stature earning him praise from all corners of the globe.

On Monday, fans were ecstatic to learn the 25-year-old has gained a new fluffy friend.

After arriving back in Norway following his team’s devastating quarter-final loss to England on Sunday, photographers caught the star player departing the plane with a special souvenir from the US.

In his left hand, the soccer star was seen carrying a large stuffed raccoon mounted on a piece of wood.

Awaiting fans and media reportedly broke out in laughter on spotting the star striker’s new friend.

“It followed me home,” the viral sensation later shared on his social media.

Haaland then publicly asked for help naming the taxidermied mammal, presenting four different options to his 67 million followers.

Cowboy, Ranger, TEX and ROW (Raccoon on Wheels) were all in the running — with the latter option currently winning by a mile in the polls.

Several fans were quick to compare pictures of Haaland and his new best friend to Marvel characters Thor and Rocket Raccoon — an apt comparison given the Norway player’s resemblance to the Norse God.

The taxidermied piece is understood to have been bought from Wild Bill’s Western Store in Dallas.

The “Whiskey Raccoon”, as it was listed in the store, is positioned to be hugging an empty liquor bottle — although sources have verified Haaland’s raccoon is actually holding a bottle of wild gin despite the name.

The preserved mammal set the Norwegian sport star back $750.

Wild Bill’s owner Julie Newport told USA Today that the attention the Norwegian’s wild purchase has brought her store is “special”.

“We’ve had a couple of these taxidermy raccoons in the store for the last few years and (Haaland’s) obviously gravitated to that and a couple of the squirrels,” she said.

“It’s really special when this happens for a small store like us.”

The store’s owners have since revealed that they have commenced international shipping, in large part due to the World Cup star’s visit.

“For international shipping, we just didn’t have that ability turned on before Haaland visited,” Ms Newport revealed.

The Dallas store purchase is just the latest way that Haaland has embraced American culture during his time in the US — with the striker often singing praise to the host nation in pre and post-game interviews.

“I like the Americans,” the striker told media ahead of Norway’s eventual quarter-final loss.

“I think they are kind of hilarious, they are funny, so I like the way they are.”