President Donald Trump complimented Norwegian striker Erling Haaland during the World Cup.
"Lise and Ståle—I am home from the NATO summit in Ankara, and for what it is worth, I am sharing the following after a conversation with President Trump," he wrote in the text, also addressed to Norwegian Football Federation President Lise Klaveness. "During dinner yesterday, he came to me and congratulated me on the victory against Brazil, then he said that the way he saw it, Norway could win the entire World Cup with that team. In a short chat upon departure this afternoon, he asked me to convey his greetings to Erling Braut Haaland—'the large and great striker'—who he thought was 'formidable'—and who he had been made aware of by his son Barron (18)—who was also 'great.' Otherwise; almost all colleagues in the 32-member NATO group applauded Norway when I met them—and many meet me by doing rowing maneuvers. It is touching!"
Støre also joked that he gave British Prime Minister Keir Starmer a friendly jab about England's defeat against Norway in a World Cup qualifier in 1981.
He confirmed the details of those texts to VG, telling the outlet that he spoke to Trump about the Norwegian team on the first night of the summit. On day two, he was passing by Trump when he stopped him and spoke about Haaland and wished Norway good luck.
"It was a nice ending to a meeting otherwise filled with a lot of seriousness," he said.
And Støre said that he suspected Trump might show up had Norway made the final.
"I think so for sure," he said. "He hasn't been to any matches yet, but he'll be at the final. I take that for granted."
Norway did not make the final, losing to England on Saturday.
"Interoperability also means sharing crews," he said. "And in the next World Cup, if you could share Erling Haaland with us, that would be greatly, greatly appreciated."
Støre laughed but said, "He's not for sale."