Sports
Son of Man City Star Steps Out of Father’s Shadow
From a Legend’s Son to His Own Man: Colin Rösler’s Journey Through Football
Born into football heritage, Colin Rösler is the son of Manchester City cult hero Uwe Rösler and was named after City legend Colin Bell. His early life revolved around the sport—watching City games, mingling with his namesake, and eventually joining the club’s academy in 2010 after his family moved from Berlin to England.
Colin’s journey, however, has taken a far different route than his former youth teammate Erling Haaland, whose father also played for City. While Haaland ascended to global stardom, Rösler carved out a quieter but steady path across Europe’s lesser-known clubs, determined to succeed on his own terms.
“Since a young age, I've tried to create my own name,” he tells BBC Sport. “I’ve tried to be my own person and not rely on my dad.”
After moving through City’s youth and Norway’s national teams, Colin left Manchester City at 19 to join NAC Breda in the Netherlands. From there, his career took him to Lillestrøm in Norway and then Mjällby in Sweden, where he became a reliable first-team player and team leader.
That gamble paid off. In 2023, he signed for Malmö FF, Sweden’s most decorated club. Within months, he became a Swedish league champion and earned his first senior international cap for Norway, notably coming on as a substitute for Haaland himself.
One of his most cherished moments came when Haaland skipped the Ballon d'Or ceremony to support Malmö’s title-clinching match, which ended in chaotic celebrations.
“To win my first title was something I’ve been chasing. I’ll remember it for the rest of my life,” Rösler says.
Now 25, Colin continues to shine for Malmö and has been named in Norway’s squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. He reflects proudly on his journey—one that hasn't mirrored Haaland's meteoric rise but has brought fulfillment through perseverance and grit.
“There’s no correct way—everybody has a different path. I’m proud of mine.”
