Manchester City striker Erling Haaland tapes his mouth shut at night

Now we have some proof that footballer Erling Haaland is indeed an extraterrestrial.

We all know Manchester City striker Erling Haaland is from another planet — a two million-name petition even called for the Norwegian goal machine to be banned from England's Premier League because "he's a robot, not a human being."

Now Haaland — who lives on liver and cow hearts — has confirmed those suspicions by confessing that he tapes his mouth shut at night.

He told a YouTuber his intense nighttime routine involves wearing blue light-blocking glasses for three hours before going to bed, where he then tapes his lips so he breathes through his nostrils.

"I think sleep is the most important thing in the world," he said. "To sleep good, simple things like blue-blocking glasses, and shutting out all the signals in the bedroom" help.

"You should try and tape your mouth. I sleep with it," he added, insisting that his bizarre ritual "really pays off". Who can argue given that he scored a record-breaking 52 goals in his debut season with City.

Agence France-Presse