Manchester City soccer star Haaland calls fan and former Israeli hostage Omer Shem Tov

Recently released Israeli hostage Omer Shem Tov is an avid fan of Manchester City’s Norwegian-born soccer star Erling Haaland, one of the world’s top strikers.

So it came as a surprise when Haaland personally called Shem Tov – a moment the former hostage captured in a video shared on social media on Wednesday.

“I really appreciate what you're doing, and I really like you, Haaland. How you play. You're amazing. It's amazing. I'm so excited,” Shem Tov said with excitement. 

“We wanted to say hi. Everything going good with you today?” Haaland asked Shem Tov, who replied, “Thank you so much for calling me. Amazing, thank God.”

Shem Tov, who loves soccer, has also received messages of support from Brazilian soccer legends Cristiano Ronaldo and Rivaldo.

Over the course of the war, Norway has emerged as one of the most vocal critics of Israel in Europe.

However, unlike some of his teammates, Haaland refrained from making any public statements about the ongoing war against the terrorist organization Hamas in Gaza before a recent 2026 World Cup qualifying game.

Haaland scored a goal in the game that Norway won 4-2. “I don’t think I, as a footballer, should talk about it," Haaland said about the controversy.

"There are others who should decide what to do and where they stand. Maybe ask someone else,” Haaland told media representatives who were expecting the soccer star to condemn Israel for defending itself. 

In September 2024, the anti-Israel Norwegian soccer player Ole Sæter, who is of partly Pakistani descent, rejected an 850,000 Euro (around $966,000) offer to sign with the Israeli soccer club Maccabi Haifa due to political reasons. 

“I will not represent a country that perpetuates insecurity and evil with the killing of innocent people. No amount of money can buy my values. I choose humanity over blood money. Even if I were offered billions, I wouldn’t move there,” Sæter stated, without referencing the terrorism from Hamas.

In March 2025, Shem Tov, who is not religiously observant, revealed that he screamed to God for help during his long and difficult captivity in Gaza. 

"On the 50th day, when I was on the verge of complete despair, after five days in total darkness, when all I had left to eat was one biscuit a day with a little salty water to drink, I screamed to God to get me out of there because I couldn't take it anymore," Shem Tov told Israeli media. 

Shem Tov, who hails from the Israeli coastal city of Herzliya, visited the Dancer Square, where he thanked local supporters who advocated for his release from Gaza. 

“Thank you for not giving up on me, for supporting, embracing, and surrounding my amazing family. Every prayer or energy you sent me, I felt it – even in the darkest place, I felt a spark of light. Mom, Dad, Dana, and Amit, how lucky am I to have you as my family,” he said.