Hollywood actor Tom Holland has revealed that Norwegian football star Erling Haaland left his direct message unanswered after the Spider-Man actor reached out to 'hang out' — a snub Holland described as a genuinely 'humbling' experience. The confession came during Holland's appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, where the actor is currently doing press rounds ahead of his upcoming film The Odyssey.

How the DM Happened

Tom Holland, 30, explained that the impulse to contact Haaland, 25, struck him at the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix in early June 2025. Holland said he spotted the Manchester City striker in a hospitality suite across from his own while watching Lewis Hamilton race. 'I just thought I'd shoot my shot. Send him a text,' Holland told the show's audience.

The message, however, received no reply — not even a polite excuse. 'Not a response, not an excuse, not ‘I'm busy tonight, I'm playing football’, nada,' Holland said, drawing laughter from the studio audience.

Haaland's Reason for Not Responding

Show host Jimmy Fallon referenced a post on X that had circulated the story, prompting Holland to confirm its accuracy on air. According to the account relayed on the show, Haaland reportedly had no idea who Tom Holland was because the footballer does not watch films — leading him to assume the message came from a random person. Holland did not dispute the characterisation.

'That is exactly the type of humbling experience that is important for actors,' Holland said, framing the rejection as a useful dose of perspective for someone accustomed to global recognition.

The World Cup Complication

When Fallon pressed Holland on whether he would still take Haaland out for dinner if given the chance, the actor laughed off the idea, referencing the recent England vs Norway World Cup qualifier. 'I don't think he would have dinner with me after the other day,' Holland quipped, suggesting the football rivalry between the two nations had added another layer of awkwardness to an already one-sided exchange.

The Odyssey and Holland's Current Moment

The candid anecdote comes as Tom Holland ramps up promotion for The Odyssey, his most anticipated post-Spider-Man project. The film is expected to be a significant test of Holland's box-office draw as a leading man outside the Marvel universe. His willingness to share a self-deprecating story about being ignored by a global sports star fits a carefully cultivated public persona — relatable, grounded, and quick to laugh at himself.

Whether Haaland has since seen the clip — or remains blissfully unaware — has not been confirmed.