Munich: BTS member Jimin has once again become the centre of online conversation after fans spotted what many believe was a playful nod to Norwegian football star Erling Haaland during the opening night of BTS' ARIRANG World Tour in Munich.

Videos from the concert quickly spread across X, with fans claiming Jimin briefly mimicked Haaland's distinctive walk while interacting with the audience. The moment sparked thousands of reactions, memes and humorous posts, with many joking that the K-pop star had fully embraced his unexpected association with the Manchester City striker.

The viral clip comes at a time when football and pop culture are increasingly crossing paths, especially after FIFA recently announced a blockbuster entertainment lineup for the FIFA World Cup 2026 final. The event will feature an all-star roster including Justin Bieber, BTS, Madonna and Shakira in support of the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, an initiative aimed at improving access to education and football opportunities for children around the world.

The fan banner that started the trend

The Haaland comparisons did not begin on stage. During the Munich soundcheck, Jimin noticed a fan-made banner that had already gained attention online.

The humorous poster featured edited images of Jimin alongside actor Chris Hemsworth as Thor and footballer Erling Haaland. Korean captions identified Thor as the "God of Thunder," Haaland as the "God of Football," and Jimin as "Our God."

Jimin's reaction to the banner delighted fans, and another image showing him holding the poster quickly went viral across social media.

Many fans suggested that Jimin was well aware of the internet jokes surrounding the comparison.

"Oh, he definitely saw the memes," one user commented.

Another fan shared the now-viral soundcheck photo, writing, "Jimin holding this sign of his edited with Thor and Haaland... I'm crying."

Why are fans comparing Jimin to Erling Haaland?

The comparisons have largely been driven by Jimin's recent hairstyle. Fans say his longer blonde hair bears a resemblance to Haaland's signature look, prompting countless edits, memes and side-by-side images across social media over the past few weeks.

The latest concert moment only added fuel to the trend, with many viewers interpreting Jimin's playful walk as a light-hearted acknowledgement of the ongoing internet jokes.

One fan wrote on X: "#Jimin is hilarious doing the Erling Haaland walk during BTS' concert at the Allianz Arena after he was immortalised in a picture with Thor and the Norwegian striker labelled 'God of Thunder,' 'God of Football' and 'Our God.'"

J-Hope had already joined the Haaland trend

Interestingly, Jimin is not the first BTS member to reference the football star.

Earlier, fellow member J-Hope amused fans during a live broadcast by recreating Haaland's famous goal celebration, adding to the growing list of football-inspired BTS moments that have resonated with both ARMY and football fans.