False Instagram account pushes Nyland to call for tougher rules

Norway goalkeeper Ørjan Håskjold Nyland has spoken publicly for the first time about a fake Instagram account that attracted more than 170,000 followers in his name, NRK reports. He now wants social media platforms to make it harder to create profiles.

The account appeared after Norway defeated Brazil in the World Cup round of 16 on July 5. Nyland was named the match’s best player by NRK after saving a penalty and making several decisive interventions.

The fake account published several posts praising Brazil and apologising for eliminating the South American team. Neymar was described as a player Nyland looked up to, and the Brazilian star liked several of the posts.

Those likes were shared by other accounts, giving the fake profile widespread attention. One post received nearly 900,000 likes.

“These are the kinds of things that can happen when you suddenly get many more followers overnight. Someone will try to take advantage of it,” Nyland told NRK.

He said he noticed that Neymar had visited the fake account and liked its posts.

“I saw it, but I care very little about it. We went on in the World Cup, while he may still have been a little bitter that they had to go home,” Nyland said.

Nyland asked people on his real Instagram account to report the fake profile. Its verification badge was later removed, and the account has since disappeared and returned under other names.

“It perhaps shows that it should be a little harder to create profiles. There should be a way to identify yourself,” Nyland said.

He also said users need experience to deal with the content they may encounter on social media.

“That is why it is a little dangerous for younger people too,” said the 35-year-old.

Several platforms currently set the minimum age for creating a social media profile at 13. The Norwegian government wants to raise the age limit to 16 in Norway.

Nyland made the comments during his first interview after returning to RB Leipzig. He signed a contract with the Bundesliga club until 2028 last week, after struggling for playing time at Spanish club Sevilla.

He previously played for Leipzig during the 2022-23 season, making only two league appearances. He wore number 13 at the time but has now been given the number 1 shirt.

“I know I will get matches. Beyond that, I feel that I have shown what level I am capable of, and that is probably why I was brought here too,” Nyland said.

Hungarian goalkeeper Péter Gulácsi had been Leipzig’s clear first choice for 10 seasons but has moved to Spanish club Villarreal. Maarten Vandevoordt, who replaced Gulácsi after an injury last February, remains at the club and is expected to compete with Nyland for the position.

“I am here to play as much as I can, and that is my goal for my time here,” Nyland said.