Erling Haaland leads ‘Viking row’ at Gianluigi Donnarumma’s wedding in Italy
Gianluigi Donnarumma, the Manchester City goalkeeper, recently married his long-term partner, Alessia Elefante, in a ceremony held in Italy. The event saw a number of prominent figures from European football in attendance, including Erling Haaland, who led a viral ‘Viking row’ celebration during the festivities.
The wedding took place at the Church of San Giorgio Martire in Locorotondo, a picturesque setting in the Puglia area of Valle d’Itria. Following the church ceremony, a reception was held at the exclusive Pettolecchia residence. The couple, who have been together since 2016, welcomed their son, Leo, in September 2024.
Star-studded Guest List and Celebrations
The guest list for Donnarumma‘s wedding featured a collection of Italian and European football personalities. Among those present were Haaland, Donnarumma‘s teammate at Manchester City, and former Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola. Other notable attendees included former AC Milan icon Paolo Maldini, as well as Italy national team colleagues Sandro Tonali and Nicolo Barella.
During the celebration, Erling Haaland took centre stage by leading a revival of the ‘Viking row’. This celebration, which gained significant attention during a recent tournament, involves one person setting a rhythm on a drum while others lean back and forth in unison, chanting. Haaland, who had celebrated his 26th birthday just days prior, enthusiastically took on the role of drummer, guiding a large group of guests in the synchronized movement.
The ‘Viking row’ became a widespread craze across the United States during the tournament, with the Norwegian squad performing their version pitch-side after a victory over Brazil. That particular celebration was spearheaded by captain Martin Odegaard. At Donnarumma‘s wedding, Haaland‘s performance of the routine drew laughter and amusement from the guests, with him pausing at one point to explain the celebration to a guest.
Alessia Elefante, an interior designer, has been with Donnarumma since 2016, following him from Milan to Paris and now to Manchester. The wedding provided an opportunity for various football figures to gather, with reports indicating that Guardiola and Maldini had already been in discussions regarding a potential Italy coaching job, making the wedding another chance for them to interact.
Manchester City’s New Era
While Donnarumma celebrated his marriage, his club, Manchester City, is preparing for a new chapter under head coach Enzo Maresca. Maresca takes over from Pep Guardiola, who concluded a decade-long tenure at the Etihad Stadium. Guardiola‘s time at the club saw City become a dominant force in English football, accumulating 20 major trophies during his ten-year reign. This tally represents more silverware than the club had won in its entire 136-year history before his arrival.
Guardiola‘s achievements at Manchester City include six Premier League titles, five League Cups, three FA Cups, three Community Shields, the Champions League, the UEFA Super Cup, and the FIFA Club World Cup. The 2022-23 campaign, which saw the club secure the Treble, stands out as a significant highlight of his time as manager. The transition to Maresca marks a new phase for the club following Guardiola‘s departure.
The wedding of Gianluigi Donnarumma and Alessia Elefante brought together a mix of current and former football stars, celebrating their union in Italy.
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Source: goal.com
