Erling Haaland has revealed chopping wood and sitting by the fire has become his favourite way to switch off from football as the Manchester City striker admitted he fears a lack of a summer break could catch up with him this season.
The Norwegian has made a strong start to the new campaign with three goals in Manchester City's first three matches but did not feature in preseason after spearheading Norway's run to the World Cup quarterfinals.
The 26-year-old said the relentless schedule has left him without the usual opportunity to "properly stay away from football" and admitted he does not know how his body will respond as the season progresses.
Away from the pitch, Haaland has found a rather more traditional way of escaping the demands of the game: chopping and burning wood at home.
"This is where the magic happens. This is where I chop the wood and burn it," Haaland said in an interview published on his YouTube channel.
"It gives me peace in my mind, that's what I like about it. Chop wood, burn it and relax, alone.
"It's really good for me, it clears my mind. So this is what I'm doing when I'm home.
"Looking at fire is pure peace. It's one of my favourite things to look at. Nature is life."
Speaking about his lack of summer break, Haaland added: "The new season started and I didn't even have a preseason. I normally have a bit of preseason but this time, just nothing.
"The physical side will come -- if you manage to stay injury free, but you need to be sharp mentally as well, and that's not easy.
"We need to have that eager feeling to go back but we don't because there is no time to properly stay away from football because there are so many games and the season is longer.
"I'm not complaining because it's still a positive thing that you get to play football throughout the whole year and live off it.
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"But sometimes we need a break as well. So we'll see. I've never been in this situation before. I never played a World Cup so I don't know how it is."
City manager Enzo Maresca recognises he will have to ensure his players get sufficient rest throughout the season.
Speaking ahead of his side's Champions League opener against Porto at the Estadio do Dragao, the Italian said: "It's not easy for Erling or for most of the players that continue to play for club and international team.
"I think it is correct in the moment that you see these players start to give them some rest. It can be one game out or one week away. It depends on which moment we are in."
Information from PA was used in this report.
