Haaland has agreed to a nine-and-a-half-year deal, keeping him at the Etihad Stadium until 2034, making him one of the world’s highest-paid athletes.
Meanwhile, City are still waiting for the outcome of an investigation into 115 alleged breaches of Premier League financial rules, which could lead to a points deduction or even relegation.
When asked if he had a way out of his new deal should City lose the case, Haaland said: “No, I haven’t thought of that or anything.
“I am confident that the club know what they are doing and I really don’t think I should speak too much about this.”
Manchester City were charged in February 2023 after a four-year investigation and referred to an independent commission.
The club is accused of breaking Premier League financial rules between 2009 and 2018, but City strongly deny all allegations. A private hearing on the case was held between September and December.
Since joining from Borussia Dortmund in 2022, Norway striker Erling Haaland has scored 112 goals in 127 matches for City.
Haaland’s original contract, which was set to end in 2027, had certain clauses that have now been removed. There are rumors of a break clause that could take effect in 2029, but neither the club nor his representatives have confirmed this.
His new deal is the longest in Premier League history, surpassing the nine-year contract Chelsea’s Cole Palmer signed in August.
“It is a really good sign,” added Haaland. “Of course it is a bit unusual, it is not normal and that is also something I like.
“It felt good for both parties and in the end it was an easy choice.”
Manchester Citywill play an important Champions League group stage match against Paris St-Germain at Parc des Princes on Wednesday.
Erling Haaland has committed to Manchester City with a record-breaking nine-and-a-half-year contract, securing his stay at the club until the summer of 2034.
With this extension, the Norwegian striker will become the Premier League’s highest-paid player, earning over £500,000 per week—the first-ever player to reach such a figure.
This new deal replaces his previous contract, which was due to expire in 2027, ensuring Haaland remains at the Etihad Stadium until he turns 34.
According to Graeme Bailey, Haaland’s earnings will significantly increase through bonuses and image rights, further boosting his income.
This announcement ends speculation about Real Madrid’s interest in the 24-year-old forward.
Haaland shared his excitement about the new deal, expressing his commitment to a long-term future with Manchester City.
“I am really happy to have signed my new contract and to be able to look forward to spending even more time at this great club.
“Manchester City is a special club, full of fantastic people with amazing supporters, and it’s the type of environment that helps bring the best out of everybody,” he said.
Since joining City in June 2022 from Borussia Dortmund, Haaland has scored 111 goals in 126 games and has lifted two Premier League titles, the Champions League, an FA Cup, and a Super Cup.
In the second half, Haaland executed a spectacular back-heel volley while airborne, converting Savinho’s cross.
He netted another goal before being substituted, bringing his total to 44 goals in just 42 Champions League matches and elevating him to 16th place on the all-time scoring list.
“I didn’t know how he scored,” said Guardiola. “For a human being, I would say no [it’s not normal]. He made a fantastic goal.
“He can touch 15 or 20 balls but have seven or eight chances. It’s unbelievable.
“He made an incredible goal, similar to [Borussia] Dortmund a few years ago. I don’t know which one is more difficult but I would say both.”
Haaland’s Man City teammate Matheus Nunes was equally in awe.
“What an amazing goal. I was speechless after that,” Nunes told TNT Sports. “When he scored a similar goal against Dortmund I was watching on TV, so to see this live, it was amazing.”
Sparta Prague coach Lars Friis was also full of praise for Haaland, who has already reached 13 goals for the season.
“What can you say, he’s maybe the best striker in the world,” said Friis.
“He’s world class. We felt we had good hands on him but then he pops up with a goal like this.
“They are the best team in the world with the best players in the world.”
With this win, Manchester City climbed to third place in the Champions League standings, bringing them closer to the knockout stage as they prepare for upcoming matches against Sporting CP and Feyenoord.
Additionally, Guardiola’s team established a new record in Europe’s premier club tournament by remaining unbeaten in 26 consecutive matches—excluding shootouts—surpassing the previous record held by Manchester United from 2007 to 2009.
“We played really good again,” said Guardiola.
“I’m enjoying a lot the way we’re playing lately. We concede few, few chances.
“We create a lot, and we had to be so patient. We have five games left, and the target is to finish in the top eight. It’s a good advantage not to play in February.”
Former Nigerian football icon Mikel Obi has called on Manchester City’s star forward,Erling Haaland,to step up and prove his abilities during pivotal games for the club.
Obi acknowledged Haaland’s impressive goal-scoring feats in European football but noted that the Norwegian striker has yet to consistently shine in crucial matches, especially in the Champions League.
The ex-Chelsea star highlighted that Haaland’s performances in major encounters have not been as dominant as expected, suggesting that he could follow the example of Lionel Messi, who made a lasting impact in key moments throughout his career, solidifying his status as one of the game’s greatest players.
“Right now, he hasn’t [shown up in big games]. We can agree on that.
I want to see him, on Sunday, show up in the big games, which is what Messi did,” he said, as shared by Vince on X.
The retired Nigerian footballer made his remarks after Manchester City’s goalless draw against Inter Milan in their 2024/2025 UEFA Champions League opener.
Despite an explosive start to the Premier League with nine goals in four matches, Haaland couldn’t find the net in the Champions League game.
Premier League pundits have oftencriticized Haaland for lacking versatility, claiming he’s primarily a finisher. However, the Norwegian striker has brushed off the criticism, stating that such comments don’t affect him.
Manchester City’s title-winning trio—Erling Haaland, Phil Foden, and Rodri—headline the shortlist for the PFA Men’s Player of the Year award, which was revealed on Tuesday.
Joining them are Arsenal’s Martin Ødegaard and Chelsea’s Cole Palmer, all vying for the prestigious honor.
Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins, who played a pivotal role in securing the club’s first Champions League qualification since the 1982-83 season, completes the list of nominees.
Players across the league are casting their votes for the standout performers of the 2023-24 Premier League season.
Foden, already a two-time Premier League Young Player of the Year, has also claimed both the Premier League’s Player of the Season and the Football Writers’ Player of the Season awards.
Haaland secured his second consecutive Golden Boot last season with 27 league goals, while Rodri went 74 matches unbeaten for club and country before Manchester City’s FA Cup final loss to Manchester United, during a season in which City clinched their fourth consecutive league title.
Palmer is the only contender in the running for both the Young Player of the Year award and the main prize, thanks to an impressive debut season at Stamford Bridge, where he tallied 22 goals and 11 assists.
The PFA also unveiled the nominations for the Women’s Player of the Year award, featuring Lauren James, Erin Cuthbert, and Khadija “Bunny” Shaw.
James, Cuthbert, and Chelsea’s Niamh Charles were instrumental in leading their team to a fifth consecutive Women’s Super League (WSL) title, while Shaw emerged as the league’s top scorer with 22 goals, pushing Manchester City into a title race that went down to the wire.
City’s Yui Hasegawa and Lauren Hemp also made the shortlist, with Hasegawa aiming to become the first Japanese player to win the prestigious award.
The winners of both the men’s and women’s PFA Player of the Year awards will be announced on August 20.
The 24-year-old Norwegian struck twice within the first five minutes, capitalizing on two costly errors by Chelsea.
City took an early lead thanks to a loose pass from Tosin Adarabioyo and a penalty awarded when Levi Colwill fouled Haaland.
The initial penalty was missed but converted on the re-take.
Haaland quickly extended City’s advantage by intercepting a misjudged pass from Moises Caicedo and scoring. In the second half, City further asserted their dominance with a pair of easy goals.
Raheem Sterling’s error allowed Oscar Bobb to score through a near-post shot in the 55th minute, and Haaland completed his hat-trick a minute later after another slip-up from Malo Gusto.
Chelsea did manage to pull two goals back, with Raheem Sterling volleying in a cross at the 59-minute mark and Noni Madueke scoring on the counter-attack in the 88th minute, in front of a crowd of 68,000 at Ohio Stadium.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca remarked that his team performed well despite the “strange” nature of the game, and both managers cited the “dry” pitch as a factor in the possession errors.
Manchester City will now head back to the UK to face Manchester United in the Community Shield next Saturday.
Chelsea will stay in the US for a match against Real Madrid on Tuesdaybefore returning to Stamford Bridge to play Inter Milan next Sunday.
The Norwegian striker was substituted at half-time for the second consecutive match during their preseason tour in the United States.
City lost 4-1 on penalties to Barcelona after a 2-2 draw in Florida.
Haaland was also taken off at half-time during their 3-2 defeat to AC Milan in New York over the weekend.
“He’s got some niggles. He didn’t feel good,” Guardiola said on Tuesday. “[It is] disturbing something, he doesn’t feel comfortable.
“Muscular niggles is not worth the risk. Sooner or later he has to take a step. To lose him for three weeks, that would be a problem as 60-70% of the squad are on holiday.”
Premier League champions Manchester City will face FA Cup winners Manchester United in the Community Shield on August 10. They will then start their league title defense with a match against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on August 18.
Ghanaian international Antoine Semenyo aspires to follow in the footsteps of Norway and Manchester City star Erling Haaland.
In an interview, Semenyo, currently playing for Premier League club Bournemouth, praised the former Dortmund forward’s exceptional performance.
Haaland has been a standout player since joining the Premier League from the German Bundesliga in 2022.
Last season, he scored 27 goals in 31 games, building on the 36 goals he netted in his debut season.
The Black Stars forward aims to replicate Haaland’s impressive goalscoring abilities.
“That man (Haaland) is tall, strong, fast, and he can finish. He’s got everything you need as a striker.
“The aura he has… if he’s on the pitch and you don’t mark him, he’s gonna score.
“Everyone’s trying to mark him, and even if you mark him, he still scores. I remember watching him… this is the kind of striker I want to be,” he said, as quoted byEarn Your Stripes.
Phil Foden clinches Premier League Player of the Season award after an outstanding season with Manchester City.
He was nominated earlier this month alongside notable players such as Erling Haaland, Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard, Cole Palmer, Alexander Isak, Ollie Watkins, and Virgil van Dijk.
Now, the 23-year-old has emerged as the deserving winner of the prestigious accolade.
The England international said: “To win this award is an achievement that I am extremely proud of. The Premier League is acknowledged as the greatest league in the world, and it is a pleasure to have been nominated with so many other great players who have all enjoyed special seasons for their clubs.
Overall, I’ve been very happy with the way I have played this season and really pleased that I have been able to contribute with the goals and assists throughout the season.
I’d like to thank all of the City staff, coaches and especially my teammates because without them this wouldn’t be possible. And I would also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who voted for me as the award means a lot.”
The versatile winger, who also excels as an attacking midfielder, has enjoyed his most successful season yet with City, tallying an impressive 25 goals and 11 assists across all competitions.
His stellar performances have propelled Pep Guardiola’s team to the brink of securing their fourth consecutive Premier League title, and they are also vying for victory in the FA Cup final.
Foden’s exceptional individual campaign will culminate when City, in pursuit of the Premier League title, take on West Ham on Sunday, the final day of the season.
A victory against David Moyes’ side would secure City’s second consecutive title, edging outArsenal in the race forthe championship.
Cole Palmer, aged 22, has been awarded the Premier League Young Player of the Season for his standout performances during the 2023/24 campaign at Chelsea.
The England international triumphed over a competitive field including Phil Foden, Erling Haaland, Alexander Isak, Kobbie Mainoo, William Saliba, Bukayo Saka, and Destiny Udogie to clinch the prestigious accolade.
The Premier League officially announced Palmer’s achievement via a post on social media.
📣 Introducing your @Hublot Young Player of the Season…
Palmer joined Stamford Bridge last summer on transfer deadline day, departing Manchester City’s academy.
Since then, he has been instrumental, scoring 22 goals and providing ten assists this season, propelling Chelsea to sixth place in the Premier League standings.
Currently,Mauricio Pochettino’s team holds a three-point advantage over Newcastle United in seventh place, but their inferior goal difference (13 compared to Newcastle’s 21) means that sixth place is not yet secured.
Chelsea’s final game of the season against Bournemouth on Sunday will be crucial in determining their European football fate.
Meanwhile, Newcastle will face Brentford in their last fixture, with all matches scheduled to kick off at 4pm UK time.
Manchester City forward Erling Haaland has joined the ranks of playable characters in the popular mobile video game “Clash of Clans,”game developer Supercell announced on Tuesday.
In the game, Haaland’s character is dubbed the “Barbarian King,” marking the first time a real person has been featured as a character in the game, which has been downloaded over 2 billion times. Haaland, 23, is known to be a fan of the game since its initial release when he was just 12 years old.
The Norwegian international shared a trailer for the game on his social media platforms, showcasing himself encountering characters from the game in real life before being transported into the animated game world.
“When we heard Haaland was a fan of our game and that he wanted to partner with us, it was really a dream scenario,” Stuart McGaw, general manager of Clash of Clans said in statement.
“It’s been tough to keep this one quiet, but I’m excited to finally be able to talk about this epic partnership with Clash of Clans,” Haaland said.
“I’ve been a huge fan of the game for a long time and know everything about it, so to appear as an in-game character is really cool.”
Manchester City will be without striker Erling Haalandfor their upcoming match against Brighton on Thursday, as he continues to recover from injury.
Erling Haaland is set to receive his award at the FWA Footballer of the Year 75th anniversary dinner in London on May 25
Haaland’s absence follows his injury during the Champions League quarter-final second leg against Real Madrid, which also caused him to miss the FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea.
Manager Pep Guardiola confirmed that Haaland remains unavailable for the upcoming fixture at the Amex Stadium.
“Erling is not ready for tomorrow, the other two, they are ready,” Guardiola told reporters on Wednesday. “I know it is not a big issue, but he is not allowed for this game.”
Barcelona is reportedly eyeing a move for Erling Haaland from Manchester City in 2025, aiming to convince their current manager, Xavi, to extend his stay at Camp Nou.
Despite Xavi’s initial plan to step down at the end of the 2023-24 season, Barca’s recent success in reaching the Champions League quarter-finals and closing the gap on Real Madrid in the Liga title race has sparked speculation that he may reconsider.
To persuade Xavi to stay, Barcelona is planning ambitious signings in the transfer market.
Mundo Deportivo reports that they have set their sights on Haaland, the prolific Norwegian striker, for the summer of 2025.
While Haaland has been linked with a move to Real Madrid in the past, Barcelona is confident they can compete for his signature.
Although Haaland is under contract with Manchester City until 2027, his deal reportedly includes exit clauses.
Barcelona sees Haaland as a suitable long-term replacement for Robert Lewandowski, who is expected to depart soon, given his age of 36 in August.
Securing Haaland’s services would not only bolsterBarcelona’s attacking prowess but also provide Xavi with a promising addition to his squad, potentially influencing his decision to remain in his coaching role.
Manchester City’s Erling Haaland still envisions himself playing for Real Madrid in the future, despite a potential delay caused by Kylian Mbappe’s expected transfer from Paris Saint-Germain to Los Blancos this summer, according to AS.
Initially planning to join the Spanish giants in 2025, Haaland’s timeline may have shifted, but the 23-year-old remains keen on a move to Real Madrid.
He sees City’s upcoming Champions League quarterfinal clash with Carlo Ancelotti’s side as an ideal opportunity to demonstrate his capabilities for a potential future transfer.
Although he played the full 90 minutes in both legs of last season’s semifinal against Madrid, he failed to score in either match.
While Haaland’s current contract with Manchester City extends until 2027, the club is reportedly expediting the process of renewing his deal.
His contract includes a €200 million release clause, enabling him to leave this summer if triggered.
His agent, Rafaela Pimenta, aims to include a similar clause in any future agreement to facilitate a potential move to Real Madrid. Although there is no specific clause regarding Pep Guardiola in Haaland’s contract, the manager’s future could also influence the striker’s decision.
Financial constraints may pose a challenge for Real Madrid in acquiring both Mbappe and Haaland, raising questions about how the club would manage such high-profile signings.
Before the Champions League Round of 16 clash between FC Copenhagen and Manchester City, forward Erling Haaland praised Lionel Messi as the greatest player in football history.
The Norwegian player acknowledged Messi’s unparalleled impact on the sport, evident in his record-breaking eight Ballon d’Or wins.
Haaland also pointed out Messi’s pivotal role in Argentina’s triumph in the World Cup, highlighting it as a significant achievement that distinguishes him from other players.
“He won those trophies and also won the World Cup. He is the best of all time, in my opinion,” Haaland said.
Asked about his dip in performance lately, the Manchester City striker said, “Last year I scored 36 goals and was the top scorer. This season I am still the top scorer, with 18, so you can think it’s been a good season or not for me.
“I think we are doing quite well as a team, and that’s my goal. I have missed, I have missed many chances, and I will surely miss in the future, and people will criticise me. Do I have to think about it? No.”
In 2023, Lionel Messi secured his eighth Ballon d’Or, triumphing over competitors Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland, who finished second and third, respectively.
Four out of Erling Haaland’s five goals in the FA Cup match against Luton Town were assisted by Kevin De Bruyne.
The Belgian midfielder provided a total of four assists as Haaland secured a remarkable five goals, propelling Manchester City to a convincing 6-2 victory over Luton Town and securing their place in the FA Cup quarter-final.
Following their dominant performance against the Hatters, De Bruyne took to social media to humorously message his teammate Haaland.
On Instagram, De Bruyne shared a series of photographs from their demolition of Luton and wrote a caption that read, “Good morning, how may I assist you?”
Since joining Manchester City, the Norwegian goal-scoring sensation has shattered numerous records and achieved multiple hat-tricks.
However, his latest feat marked the first occasion where he scored three or more goals in an away match for the club.
Following the game, he expressed gratitude towards Kevin De Bruyne for his assists and praised the 32-year-old as ‘massive’.
With their confidence soaring, Pep Guardiola’s team will now prepare to face their rivals Manchester United in a crucial Premier League clash on Sunday, as they aim to maintain their winning momentum.
Erling Haaland etched his name in history by netting five goals in Manchester City’s commanding 6-2 victory over Luton in the FA Cup.
Kevin De Bruyne also played a pivotal role, contributing four assists in what proved to be an extraordinary match.
However, it was Haaland who stole the spotlight, becoming the first Manchester City player since 1926 to score five goals in an FA Cup fixture.
This achievement matched the feat of Frank Roberts, who accomplished a similar feat nearly a century ago in an 11-4 demolition of Crystal Palace.
Haaland wasted no time in making his mark, finding the net within minutes of kickoff after De Bruyne expertly set him up with a precise pass from Matheus Nunes.
The duo continued to wreak havoc on Luton’s defense, with Haaland adding another goal following an impressive long ball from Stefan Ortega, expertly assisted by De Bruyne.
Despite Luton’s goalkeeper thwarting Haaland’s attempts at securing a hat-trick, the Norwegian striker capitalised on another sublime pass from De Bruyne, gracefully chipping the ball over the onrushing goalkeeper, Tim Krul.
The match also saw Luton clawing their way back into contention, with Clark unleashing a stunning strike from 25 yards out, assisted by Barkley, to bring the score to 3-2.
However, City’s dominance prevailed as they continued to assert their superiority, ultimately sealing a convincing victory in a memorable FA Cup encounter.
Haaland had nine attempts without scoring in a 1-1 draw with Chelsea on Saturday and missed a golden chance with a second-half header.
But against Brentford on Tuesday, the Norway striker, whose grandmother passed away last week, scored his 22nd goal of the season to hand City a narrow win and close the gap with Liverpool at the top of the Premier League to one point.
“Top scorers, top strikers, score a lot of goals; don’t criticise; he will shut your mouth,” Guardiola said. “Sooner or later, he is there. He was out for two months; he lost his grandmother. It is not easy for a human being. In thistype of game like Brentford, you need Erling.“
City had 31 shots against Chelsea and another 25 against Brentford for a combined two goals. It looked like a frustrating night against Thomas Frank’s side before defender Kristoffer Ajer slipped midway through the second half to allow Haaland to race onto Julián Álvarez’s pass and score the winner.
“I think throughout the game we were brilliant,” Frank said. “Very proud and pleased with the players’ performance. They believed and it gives me a lot of belief in them going forward.
“If he doesn’t slip, I’m convinced it would not be a goal. Haaland is quick but Kristoffer is as quick. City are good so they don’t need the margins going their way.”
In the aftermath of the match, Guardiola disclosed that Kevin De Bruyne was omitted from the starting lineup against Brentford due to discomfort in his hamstring. The midfielder, who previously endured a five-month absence following hamstring surgery, was included on the bench for Tuesday’s game. However, despite being listed as a substitute, the 32-year-old did not participate in warm-ups before or during the match.
“Today we could not use Kevin because he had niggles in his hamstring and I didn’t want to take a risk,” Guardiola said. “He is OK. Just precaution because he didn’t feel comfortable and after five months off, we didn’t take any risk.”
Brentford manager Thomas Frank lamented the misstep that led to Haaland’s goal.
“It was an unlucky situation, if Kristoffer doesn’t slip, I’m convinced it was never going to be a goal,” said Frank. “Haaland is quick, but Kristoffer is just as quick and it would never have been a goal. City are good enough with their quality, they don’t need the margins going their way.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has addressed Erling Haaland’s situation in response to recent reports linking the Norwegian striker with a move to Real Madrid.
Last week, Spanish reports indicated that the 23-year-old was dissatisfied with his life in Manchester and was considering a departure in the summer, with links to Los Blancos emerging.
Guardiola swiftly dismissed these rumours, asserting that they were an attempt to unsettle the striker. When asked again about Haaland’s situation, the Catalan manager reiterated his stance.
Talking to the media, Guardiola said [via Yahoo Sports]: “For one report, for one journalist or one Twitter account, one Instagram account, do you think they are going to change something that is going to happen? It’s not going to happen. It’s going to happen when Erling decides to extend the contract or not, when the club decides to extend a contract or not, or when we have potential offers to him or not. If someone wants Erling, it’s easy. Call Man City and ask. It’s what we do when we want to sign someone. It’s not more complicated than that.”
When asked if the club wanted Haaland to stay, Guardiola said, “What do you think? That we don’t want Erling to stay here for one decade. We want him—for a long, long time—at this club. For a long time. We are in love with him; we want him.”
Yet Guardiola admitted that he does not know what the future will bring.
“I don’t have information. He arrived last season and the impact was incredible,” he said. “The beginning of this season, the numbers were really good too. He’s had two months of injuries. What happens in the future? Honestly, I don’t know. We are happy to have him, and hopefully he’s happy to be with us. That is what we know. And the rest? I don’t know.”
City is poised to commence new contract negotiations with Haaland, who played a pivotal role in the club’s Treble-winning season last year, scoring 53 goals.
Despite being sidelined for the past two months due to injury, the 23-year-old has sustained his exceptional performance this season, currently sharing the top spot in the Premier League scoring charts with Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah.
Haaland recently made a highly anticipatedcomeback for Manchester City in the match against Burnley last week. His full return to action is expected today, as the city faces Brentford away from home.
Manchester City striker Julian Alvarez has shed light on his partnership with prolific goal-scorer Erling Haaland, anticipating the Norwegian’s return from injury.
Alvarez and Haaland, both acquired in the summer of 2022, experienced a dynamic on-field relationship.
Although the Argentine striker played a supporting role for Haaland for a significant part of the previous season, making the most of substitute appearances, the duo consistently started every league game together in the 2023–24 season until Haaland suffered a foot injury against Aston Villa in December.
Their on-field collaboration during this period proved to be highly productive.
“I think that we have demonstrated that together we can do very good things to help the team; you can see it on the pitch but the statistics show it too in terms of goals and assists,” Alvarez told GOAL in an exclusive interview. “I always say that playing with the best players makes you better and Erling is one of them.”
Alvarez and Haaland both made a special effort for the city’s Halloween party in their first season at the club. Haaland dressed up as a Viking, while Alvarez came as a gladiator. “He looked great; it suited him very well,” said the Argentina international of his strike partner.
Haaland and Alvarez, City’s dynamic duo, have collectively netted an impressive 32 goals and provided 12 assists in the current season.
Haaland’s outstanding performance includes a record-breaking 52 goals in 53 games across all competitions last season, while Alvarez, with only 23 starts, emerged as the club’s second-highest scorer, tallying 17 goals.
Haaland is poised to make a comeback on Wednesday against Burnley, marking his return to action since sustaining a foot injury against Villa on December 6.
His return is a significant boost for City as they strive to close the gap withPremier League leaders Liverpool in the title race. This return coincides with Kevin De Bruyne’s anticipated first start since recovering from a hamstring injury suffered in August.
Pedri has urgd Barcelona to pursue Manchester City’s Erling Haaland as a future replacement for the ageing Robert Lewandowski.
With Lewandowski currently 35 years old and showing signs of decline, Pedri sees Haaland as the ideal successor, referring to the City striker as a “cyborg” with a prolific goal-scoring record.
While expressing his dream signing preference, Pedri mentioned that signing Lionel Messi at a younger age would have been ideal, but currently, he would opt for Haaland.
Haaland, known for his remarkable record of 71 goals and 14 assists in 75 appearances for City, played a crucial role in their historic treble in the 2022–23 season.
However, he is currently sidelined due to a stress fracture in his foot, causing him to miss the FIFA Club World Cup and City’s recent Premier League fixtures.
Barcelona is already planning for the future and has secured Vitor Roque from Athletico Paranaense in a €35m deal.
Roque, assigned the No.19 shirt for the season, is seen as a player who could follow in the footsteps of Lionel Messi, who wore the same number during his initial seasons at Camp Nou.
Pedri, currently recovering from an injury, is expected to make a return to action after the Spanish Super Cup in the third week of January, facing Real Betis in La Liga.
Meanwhile, Haaland’s absence will be felt by City in their upcoming FA Cup third-round clash against Huddersfield, with no confirmed timeline for his return.
The Crystal Palace attacker achieved the highest number of completed dribbles, totaling 84, securing the top position on the chart at the conclusion of an exceptional year.
Ayew continues to have a remarkable season with the South London club, showcasing his skills by scoring two goals and providing five assists in 19 Premier League matches.
His standout performance was evident as Crystal Palace emerged victorious against Brentford on Sunday.
However, Ayew has left for Ghana in preparation for the Africa Cup of Nations, posing a significant setback for the Eagles in his absence.
“It was important to win. Today’s my last game because I’ll be off to the Africa Cup of Nations. I wanted to go with a win,” said Ayew after the game.
In the meantime, Erling Haaland concluded the year as the top goal scorer with an impressive tally of 29 goals, while Mohamed Salah topped the assist chart with 15.
Bernard Leno of Fulham emerged as the goalkeeper with the most saves, and Bruno Fernandes from Manchester United led in creating chances, amassing a remarkable total of 133.
The chief of the Referees Body (PGMOL), Howard Webb, acknowledged that the official overseeing the Manchester City vs. Tottenham Hotspur match on December 3 erred by stopping play after a foul on Erling Haaland.
In the dying moments of the game, Jack Grealish was on a goal-scoring opportunity when referee Simon Hooper blew the whistle for a foul on Haaland in the preceding play, despite initially signalling for play to continue.
This decision led to several City players protesting the call, resulting in the club being charged by the FA for their conduct.
“Yeah, it is an officiating mistake,” Webb said on the ‘Match Officials: Mic’d Up’ TV programme.
“On this particular occasion, [the referee] sees a pretty strong, reckless foul challenge by Emerson Royal on Haaland. It’s in midfield, and the ball comes backwards.
“He does the hard work; he just hesitates a moment to see if an advantage is possible. But he recognises in his mind, thinking it through, that it was a strong challenge, it was reckless, and he is going to have to exercise caution.”
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has given an injury update on Erling Haaland but remained mum on whether the prolific striker will feature in the upcoming match against Crystal Palace.
Haaland was absent from the City squad during their Premier League encounter with Luton Town over the weekend due to a bone injury.
Guardiola has now offered additional details on the injury and disclosed the timeline for Haaland’s return to training. However, the manager has not clarified whether Haaland will be available for the Crystal Palace fixture.
Speaking to reporters, the Catalan manager said: “He will be back on Thursday, the day after tomorrow, and we will see how he feels. I cannot answer [if he can play on Saturday]. I don’t know right now. At the next press conference, I can be more precise about his condition.”
On Sunday, the City head coach claimed that the Norwegian could hardly walk after the team’s Premier League clash against Aston Villa last week.
But the striker’s condition has been improving quickly since then.
Despite Haaland missing the team, the defending champions came back from behind to narrowly edge out Luton 2-1 last Saturday.
The 23-year-old, who is currently leading the Premier League Golden Boot race with 14 goals, will be back in training on Thursday, as revealed by his coach but it remains to be seen if he fully regains his fitness on time for the team’s league clash against Roy Hodgson’s Palace.
The 23-year-old has played in all 15 of Manchester City’s Premier League games this season and scored 14 goals. But he won’t be playing in the game against the Hatters, according to The Athletic.
Pep Guardiola told Sky Sports that the issue is a problem with bone stress in his feet. After the last game against Aston Villa, he felt this way and he can’t play.
He said he doesn’t know how bad the injury is. “We will wait and see what happens each week and each day. ”
Manchester City have most of their players available, but Kevin De Bruyne is still out with an injury.
Jeremy Doku has a small muscle injury and might be able to play on Sunday at Kenilworth Road, but he might not be allowed to play to avoid making the injury worse.
Manchester City are expected to win against Luton, even though their top goal scorer is not playing. If they win, they will be only four points behind Liverpool in the league.
A win would bring City closer to the teams at the top of the league, narrowing the gap to just four points between them and the other top teams like Arsenal and Aston Villa. Currently, City is in fourth place in the league.
After playing at Luton on Wednesday, Manchester City will play against Red Star in the Champions League next.
Haaland may not play in the game because his team has already secured first place and they don’t want to take any chances with his health.
Jude Bellingham has been awarded the prestigious Golden Boy accolade for 2023, solidifying his status as the best young player globally.
The accomplished midfielder from England, aged 20, is recognised as the brightest talent under the age of 21.
His stellar contributions at both Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid have earned him this esteemed recognition, substantiated by the receipt of a gleaming trophy.
Securing the Golden Boy title aligns Bellingham with a distinguished lineage of past winners, including football luminaries such as Wayne Rooney, Lionel Messi, Paul Pogba, Kylian Mbappe, and Erling Haaland.
The acknowledgement underscores Bellingham’s exceptional skills and marks him as a standout figure among the world’s emerging football talents.
Bellingham, who has scored 15 goals for the Blancos through 17 appearances to break records previously posted by Cristiano Ronaldo, said when collecting his prestigious prize in Turin: “I can’t be more grateful to all the people I have met along the way to help get me to the point I am at now.
“It’s about trying to make my team and country the best teams in the world and to be the best player in the world you have to help your teams win and to join that list is such a big honour.
“I think Wayne Rooney was probably my biggest influence growing up, obviously being from England and the way he played and the way he fought, but there are so many other players that I’ve taken bits from. I’m really grateful for everything football has given me so far in my life and the support from my family to keep playing and keep enjoying it has been huge.”
Golden Boy 2023. Beyond grateful, thank you to everyone who’s supported my journey until this point, can’t fully express my appreciation! pic.twitter.com/6F19Uflr7m
Erling Haaland has expanded his list of accolades, securing another trophy through the awards presented by the Italian publication Tuttosport.
The prolific Manchester City striker achieved a form of revenge against Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi, claiming the Golden Player Man award.
This recognition comes on the heels of Haaland’s remarkable achievement of scoring 52 goals during City’s historic Treble triumph in the previous season.
Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham and Erling Haaland are anticipated to emerge as contenders for future Ballon d’Or awards.
They join a promising generation of talent, including Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe, Bayern Munich‘s rising star Jamal Musiala, and the dynamic Barcelona duo Pedri and Gavi.
This group of exciting young players is poised to usher in a new era, aiming to take the reins from the longstanding dominance of eternal rivals Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Manchester City faces charges from the Football Association following the tumultuous events that unfolded after their 3-3 draw with Tottenham on Sunday.
On Monday, the FA officially announced that City was charged with a failure to control their players, stemming from the dramatic conclusion of the match against Tottenham.
The incident in question occurred when referee Simon Hooper did not allow play to continue despite Jack Grealish being sent through on goal by Erling Haaland in the dying moments of injury time.
In response to the decision, players from Manchester City swarmed referee Simon Hooper, expressing their discontent with the lack of advantage given.
Notably, Erling Haaland was captured vehemently expressing his frustration towards Hooper and later took to Twitter, posting the letters ‘WTF.’
There is a possibility that Haaland could face a misconduct charge for his actions, although confirmation is pending.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xx-YFHNx9pk
Haaland’s heated reaction unfolded during a confrontation with Tottenham midfielder Giovani Lo Celso, who had earlier scored Spurs’ second goal at the Etihad.
Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou openly acknowledged that he felt his team had “got away with one” when the referee blew the final whistle, preventing Grealish from advancing unopposed towards the goal.
“It’s alleged that, during the 94th minute of the fixture, the club failed to ensure their players did not behave in a way that was improper. “Manchester City has until Thursday, December 7, 2023, to respond to the charge.”
A possible misconduct charge for Haaland could result in a ban, though it is unlikely to happen before the club’s match against Aston Villa on Wednesday.
Erling Haaland (23) could potentially face disciplinary measures following his social media expression of dissatisfaction with referee Simon Hooper after Manchester City’s intense 3-3 draw with Tottenham on Sunday.
The City striker was visibly upset when the referee failed to play an advantage in the closing moments of the thrilling Premier League clash at the Etihad Stadium.
Despite being fouled, Haaland quickly got back up and played Jack Grealish through on goal, only for Hooper to halt play and award a free-kick.
Haaland joined several City players in expressing frustration towards the official, and he continued his protests after the game by sharing a clip of the incident on X (formerly Twitter) with the comment “WTF.”
Manager Pep Guardiola, unaware of Haaland’s social media post during his post-game interview, acknowledged the player’s on-field reaction and conceded that he could understand Haaland’s frustration.
“It’s normal,” said the City boss. “His reaction was the same for 10 players. The rules are that you cannot talk with the referees or fourth officials, so we should have had 10 players sent off today.
“He’s a little bit disappointed. Even the referee—if he played for Manchester City today, he would be disappointed in that action, that’s for sure.”
Guardiola had tried to temper his criticism, saying in a TV interview he did not want to make a “Mikel Arteta comment,” in reference to the Arsenal manager’s controversial remarks after a game against Newcastle last month.
He added in a press conference, “I make mistakes; the players make mistakes.
“It surprised me because in the moment Erling went down, if you whistle in that moment, it’s fine.
“But when he stands up and continues and the referee makes that gesture to play on, and after he (Haaland) makes the pass, he then stops the game—I don’t want to criticise him.
“On the touchline, sometimes I lose my mind and my gestures are not proper but for many years as a manager, I’m not a guy; when I’m refreshed, I comment.”
Erling Haaland has added another set of goal-scoring records to his impressive resume, prompting Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola to humorously express on Tuesday that he was getting accustomed to fielding questions about his prolific striker.
In the 54th minute of the match against RB Leipzig, the 23-year-old achieved the feat of being the fastest player to score 40 goals in the Champions League, contributing to City’s 3-2 comeback victory and securing the top spot in Group G with one matchday still to go.
Just three days prior, Haaland had already made headlines by becoming the quickest player to reach 50 Premier League goals during a 1-1 draw with Liverpool.
“Again? I have to tell you again?” Guardiola laughed, when asked for comment. “A thousand million times, I’m really impressed. They won today. Another record. Congratulations. He’s a fantastic player. I tell you many times, we’re really, really pleased.
“We love him, not just for the goals he scores, but for many, many other things.“
Erling Haaland has made football history by achieving the dual distinction of being both the fastest and youngest player to score 40 goals in the Champions League, eclipsing Kylian Mbappe’s previous record.
The Norwegian phenom contributed a goal as Manchester City staged a comeback from a 2-0 deficit to triumph 3-2 against RB Leipzig, maintaining their unblemished record in this season’s premier European competition.
Haaland’s 40th goal in the Champions League came in only his 35th appearance, establishing him as the quickest player ever to reach this milestone, surpassing the previous record held by Ruud van Nistelrooy by 10 matches.
At the age of 23, Haaland also secured the title of the youngest player to reach 40 Champions League goals, breaking Mbappe’s record set in November 2022.
This remarkable achievement adds to Haaland’s week of records, having recently become the fastest player to score 50 goals in the Premier League. His goal against Liverpool in his 48th match in the English top-flight surpassed the previous mark of 65 games set by Andy Cole.
Speaking about City’s win, manager Pep Guardiola expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance, emphasising their ability to maintain high standards and consistency over the years. Looking ahead, Guardiola highlighted the significance of finishing first in the group stage to secure a favourable position in the Round of 16.
Pep Guardiola said: “Of course we are incredibly happy to have qualified with two games left. Finish first. We have time to think about it. Maybe we were not… clinical is not the right word… not clear, sweet, soft enough in the last moment to score more goals. But I love to see the team.
“The word that has defined this group of players for many years is consistency. We have high standards, and that is why we are still in the Premier League and qualified for the Champions League. People say, ‘Yeah, the group stage is easy’, but you have to do it. In life, you have to do it when people expect you to do it. Two games left.
“Leipzig are the toughest opponents in this group and we have to try and finish further. It is important in the last 16 to have the weapon of second game at home rather than away.”
After helping City clinch the top spot in their group, Haaland may be allowed a rest for their final match against Crvena Zvezda in December. And the Norwegian will be looking to further boost his Premier League goal tally when the Cityzens take on title rivals Tottenham Hotspur back at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
Erling Haaland’s agent has chosen not to disclose the release clause in the striker’s contract, asserting that the Manchester City star is “the master of his destiny.”
The highly productive Norwegian forward scored 52 goals across all competitions last season, setting numerous records and contributing to City’s historic Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League treble.
His impressive performances this season have fueled speculation about potential interest from La Liga giants Real Madrid.
She went on to say of the transfer rumours that continue to rage: “Erling is the master of his destiny. Not just now but his entire life and 100%. What I mean is that you have to use balance. club and player. We are all in the same boat. Things have to be talked about and treated in such a way that everyone is okay. Comfortable and satisfied with the experience they have together. I think it is not necessary to say that Erling does what he wants. Is not true.
Erling is always going to do what is good for him and for his club, Manchester City. When everyone is willing to make a change, it will be done. He’s not the type of player who’s going to say, ‘I’m leaving; bye; I don’t want to know anything’. It is not like this. And it’s not going to happen because respect comes before everything. If they give it to him, he will give it too.”
Pimenta has suggested in the past that Haaland could be worth as much as €1 billion (£875m/$1bn) in the transfer market, and he has expanded on that comment by saying: “When I talk about 1 billion, I talk about a pack in which I include the years of career, the sales potential, tickets, t-shirts, sponsors, digital and everything that is coming that does not yet exist. It is impossible to say how much each thing costs. You are actually asking me how much the transfer costs and you don’t have to ask me this. The market says so.”
While Haaland is contracted with City until 2027, there have been indications that he might seek a new challenge at some point.Quizzed on whetherMadrid would appeal, as the inclement weather in Manchester has escaped, Pimenta added, “Every time I go to Madrid, I ask people what it’s like to live there and they always tell me it’s great.
But in other cities, it is also good. You don’t believe me when I say it but he’s very good in Manchester. He’s fantastic. He eats well, he has everything, he has a lot of football, and the people are friendly and calm. She said of the rain in England, “But that’s a matter of taste. As a Brazilian, I do understand it. But if you come from northern Europe, it’s normal. For us, it’s a bit heavy, but not for them.”
Real Madrid, under club president Florentino Perez’s ‘Galacticos’ recruitment policy, has consistently pursued high-profile signings, and Haaland aligns well with this strategy.
Furthermore, reports suggest that Real Madrid has abandoned its enduring pursuit of Paris Saint-Germain superstar Kylian Mbappe. This shift in focus could potentially lead them to prioritize a future acquisition from Manchester City.
Pep Guardiola has addressed Roy Keane’s criticism of the lively on-field conversation he had with Erling Haaland following theManchester derby.
After Manchester City’s 3-0 victory over United on Sunday, a camera captured Guardiola discussing Haaland’s heading technique as they exited the Old Trafford pitch.
Roy Keane, a Sky Sports pundit and former Manchester United midfielder, accused Pep of “putting on a show” and suggested that the City manager should reserve tactical discussions for the dressing room.
“I respect Roy Keane a lot,” Guardiola told reporters on Friday. “Sometimes I finish the game and go inside; sometimes I stay there. When I find a player, we chat about the game.
“I know the camera is there; it is everywhere. I could tell him [Haaland] when we were inside but at that moment I was outside because I wanted to be with the fans, especially away. For the fans, United is an important game.
“We chatted about the second goal, the miss for the last minute with the [Andre] Onana action [save]. He [Haaland] could be better and stronger. The header [could be] stronger to put the ball in the back of the net with more power.”
Guardiola emphasised that publicly discussing issues with players is nothing new for him. He added, “It happened with Erling [Haaland] in Burnley. I can avoid it. Maybe Roy is right but it happens. I don’t need to do something for people my age.
“Sometimes I go inside; sometimes I say ‘hi’ to the referees. It’s what I feel in the moment. I don’t think after the game to go to the players to do some spectacle for the people. I’m old enough already.
“I’ve done it all my career. I did it at Bayern [Munich] sometimes with Joshua Kimmich. It depends on the moment but it is not to make us feel how special we are.”
After enjoying a rare midweek without a match, City will look to keep up the pressure on Premier League leaders Tottenham when they welcome Bournemouth to theEtihad Stadium on Saturday.
Dani Carvajal has disclosed the method by which Spain successfully subduedErling Haaland during their victory over Norway, securing their qualification for the Euro 2024 finals in Germany.
Spain’s path to the finals was secured with an early second-half goal by Gavi.
Throughout the match, the visitors maintained a relatively secure hold on proceedings, with Norway, led by Haaland and Martin Odegaard, finding it challenging to generate scoring opportunities.
“We came here to win; we played a complete game,” Carvajal told Teledeporte. “They hardly gave us any chances and we are going home happy and with our ticket to the Euro.”
On keeping Haaland quiet, he added, “Defensively, from Unai [Simon] to Alvaro [Morata], we have been very compact; we have not allowed him to receive any comfortable ball. Praise the work of the centre-backs because they have done a fantastic job.”
Spain can take satisfaction in their comfortable qualification from a challenging group, despite the initial setback in Glasgow. Meanwhile, Norway’s promising generation of players must patiently await other results to determine if they can escape the all-too-familiar route of qualification through the playoffs.
Upon his return to Madrid, the right-back will find little time to settle in, as a demanding schedule awaits with three away fixtures against Sevilla, Braga, and Barcelona.
Manchester City is actively pursuing the extension of Erling Haaland’s contract with the intention of eliminating the release clause and minimising the chances of Real Madrid or Barcelona luring him away, as reported by Gazzetta dello Sport.
According to sources from ESPN, City has been exploring the possibility of extending Haaland’s contract and aims to finalise an agreement within the next few months.
Currently, the 23-year-old’s contract is set to run until 2027, but it contains a €200 million release clause that diminishes annually over the contract’s duration.
In light of this, Manchester City is prepared to offer Haaland an increase in his salary, extend the contract by an additional year, and remove the release clause altogether.
Real Madrid and Barcelona are closely monitoring developments regarding Haaland’s contract, as both clubs are aware of the release clause.
Real Madrid, in particular, has been in search of a high-profile striker since the departure of Karim Benzema to Al Ittihad.
If Real Madrid fails to secure the services ofKylian Mbappé from Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer next summer, the club’s president, Florentino Perez, is expected to channel his efforts towards signing Erling Haaland.
The Norwegian striker, Erling Haaland, made his move to the Premier League club from Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2022 for a fee of £51 million ($63 million).
Since his arrival, he has shattered numerous records and managed to net an impressive tally of 52 goals during the previous season across all competitions.
This outstanding performance played a pivotal role in guiding The Cityzens to a historic treble.
Amidst his phenomenal success, Pep Guardiola, his manager, plays a crucial role. Guardiola has high expectations, urging the player to give his best in every training session.
In a lighthearted manner, he even jokes that he will “smash” the player if he detects any lack of focus.
“There is so much! He demands a lot in training,” Haaland told The Telegraph.
“When I spoke with him before I signed here, he said, ‘I don’t care what you do;do whatever you want. But when you have me on the (training) pitch, you have to be focused. If not, I will smash you!’”
Haaland believes that City’s secret to overwhelming success since Guardiola took over is the team’s two-pronged approach to life while they are on and off the pitch.
“That’s really how he is and how City are as a team and as a club. It’s why they have been so successful,” Haaland stated.
“The pressure is there. Look at the pressure we have every single day as a club, as a team, and as individuals. But you must focus on the one hour we have in training every day and the rest of the day relax; don’t think of football; don’t think of anything.
“I think that’s a big part of why it’s so successful here with all the staff. After training, don’t think of football anymore. You think and you develop on the pitch. When you are on the pitch, you focus. That is what Pep demands,” he added.
Following a shocking loss to Wolves in their most recent Premier League game, City will face Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal in a titanic match on Sunday at the Emirates Stadium.
Manchester City is reportedly in discussions to negotiate a new contract with Erling Haaland, a development that may disappoint Real Madrid’s future transfer plans.
The Spanish giants have long been linked with the highly prolific Norwegian striker but failed to secure an agreement with Borussia Dortmund in previous transfer windows.
Consequently, Haaland made a move to England in the summer of 2022 as part of a £51 million ($62 million) deal.
During his debut season at the Etihad Stadium, the 23-year-old emerged as a revelation, scoring an impressive 52 goals across all competitions and playing a pivotal role in City’s achievement of a Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League Treble.
Haaland still has nearly four years remaining on his existing contract with Manchester City.
According to reports from The Daily Mail, Manchester City is keen to extend Haaland’s contract, adding at least another year to the current agreement.
Additionally, discussions are expected to address the inclusion of release clauses in the new contract.
Haaland’s initial contract featured two release clauses, one of which is related to the future of Pep Guardiola as the team’s manager.
City aims to reach an agreement swiftly, leaving Real Madrid to monitor the situation from a distance.
Real Madrid is interested in securing Haaland’s services for Santiago Bernabeu, envisioning him as part of a star-studded attacking lineup that could potentially include Kylian Mbappe.
Mbappe, the French World Cup winner, is anticipated to join Real Madrid in 2024 when his contract with Paris Saint-Germain expires.
Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland chief the list of 30 nominees for the 2023 Ballon d’Or award, as announced by France Football magazine. Messi’s nomination comes after being left off the shortlist last year.
If he secures the men’s Ballon d’Or this year, it would mark his eighth win, second only to Cristiano Ronaldo with five wins. In February, Messi also claimed his second Best FIFA Men’s Player award.
Notably, Ronaldo, currently playing for Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, was excluded from the list for the first time since 2003.
The award recipient will be unveiled at a ceremony at the Théâtre du Chatelet in Paris on October 30.
Messi guided Argentina to victory in the 2022 World Cup in December, a significant achievement that had eluded him throughout his 21-year career. At club level, Messi had a mixed year.
While at Paris Saint-Germain, the French side was eliminated from the Champions League at the round-of-16 stage for the second consecutive season. Nonetheless, he contributed to PSG securing their 11th Ligue 1 title.
This summer, Messi left Paris to join Inter Miami on a free transfer, where he made an immediate impact, assisting the team in winning the Leagues Cup and securing a place in the U.S. Open Cup final.
Meanwhile, Erling Haaland has also received a nomination and could present strong competition for the award. The Norwegian striker notched an impressive 52 goals in 53 games across all competitions as Manchester City clinched the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League titles.
In his debut campaign in England, the 23-year-old broke the Premier League’s single-season scoring record with 36 goals.
Haaland also received several individual accolades for his outstanding performances, including the PFA Player of the Year, the Premier League’s Player of the Season, and Football Writers’ Association’s Men’s Player of the Year.
Unsurprisingly, players from Manchester City and Argentina dominate this year’s list of nominees. Seven players who contributed to City’s treble-winning season are included in the shortlist, along with four Argentine players, including Messi, who played a pivotal role in Argentina’s third World Cup triumph.
Full list of men’s Ballon d’Or nominees: André Onana – Manchester United/Cameroon Josko Gvardiol – Manchester City/Croatia Karim Benzema – Al Ittihad Jamal Musiala – Bayern Munich/Germany Mohamed Salah – Liverpool/Egypt Jude Bellingham – Real Madrid/England Bukayo Saka – Arsenal/England Randal Kolo Muani – Paris Saint-Germain/France Kevin De Bruyne – Manchester City/Belgium Bernardo Silva – Manchester City/Portugal Emiliano Martínez – Aston Villa/Argentina Khvicha Kvaratskhelia – Napoli/Georgia Rúben Dias – Manchester City/Portugal Nicolo Barella – Inter Milan/Italy Erling Haaland – Manchester City/Norway Yassine Bounou – Al Hilal/Morocco Martin Ødegaard – Arsenal/Norway Julián Álvarez – Manchester City/Argentina Ilkay Gündogan – Barcelona/Germany Vinícius Júnior – Real Madrid/Brazil Lionel Messi – Inter Miami/Argentina Rodri – Manchester City/Spain Lautaro Martínez – Inter Milan/Argentina Antoine Griezmann – Atletico Madrid/France Robert Lewandowski – Barcelona/Poland Kylian Mbappé – Paris Saint-Germain/France Kim Min-jae – Napoli/South Korea Victor Osimhen – Napoli/Nigeria Luka Modric – Real Madrid/Croatia Harry Kane – Bayern Munich/England
Erling Haaland added an unexpected twist when he won the UEFA Men’s Player of the Year award on August 31.
The Manchester City player claimed the award during an extravagant ceremony held at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco. This event happened to coincide with the draw for the 2023/2024 season’s Champions League group stage.
This marked his second consecutive individual award in as many weeks, following his recent victory as the PFA Men’s Player of the Year in the English Premier League.
It’s a clear acknowledgment of the incredible statistics he achieved last season, contributing significantly to his team’s historic treble.
However, the Norwegian has his sights set on an even bigger prize: the Ballon d’Or award, which will be announced at the end of next month. This could be his first win at the age of 23.
He will be up against Lionel Messi, whose outstanding performances for Argentina during the Qatar World Cup at the end of last year have positioned him as a strong contender for an unprecedented 8th Ballon d’Or title, despite his public indifference to the award.
The decision now lies in the hands of a panel of experts and international journalists. They must choose between a player who achieved a treble in his debut season in arguably the world’s toughest league and another player who scripted a football fairytale in a truly remarkable fashion.
Currently, it seems to me that Messi still holds an advantage over Haaland.
Firstly, it’s worth noting that winning the UEFA Men’s Best Player of the Year doesn’t guarantee success in the Ballon d’Or race. In recent years, dating back to 2011, there have been four instances where different players won these prestigious awards.
For instance, in 2011, Lionel Messi claimed the Ballon d’Or, while his Barcelona teammate Andres Iniesta received the UEFA Award. Cristiano Ronaldo secured the Ballon d’Or in 2013, while Franck Ribery was honored by UEFA. In both 2019 and 2021, Messi won the Ballon d’Or ahead of UEFA’s Players of the Year, Virgil Van Dijk and Jorginho, respectively. The 2013 case is often cited as a notable example of a Ballon d’Or upset.
The recurring theme here is that winning the UEFA Award doesn’t necessarily foreshadow the outcome of the Ballon d’Or vote. Messi himself has triumphed over the UEFA Men’s Player of the Year three times in his career, so it’s entirely possible he could do it again.
Now, let’s explore why Messi might have the upper hand in the 2023 Ballon d’Or race.
In addition to leading Argentina to a World Cup victory in December last year, Messi’s pursuit of an eighth Ballon d’Or title further bolsters his position. Winning the World Cup is a significant achievement that can greatly influence the Ballon d’Or vote.
Furthermore, Haaland’s perceived inconsistency in big games, despite his impressive record of 52 goals in 53 appearances last season, could work against him. The World Cup’s global stage also puts Messi at an advantage, as this competition carries substantial weight in the eyes of voters.
Erling Haaland has unveiled his unconventional sleep habits that contribute to his goal-scoring prowess, as the Manchester City striker tapes his mouth shut during sleep!
The Norwegian star achieved an impressive tally of 52 goals for Treble-winning City in the previous season, a feat that earned him the PFA Players’ Player of the Year award.
Already having found the net three times in the ongoing 2023-24 season, the 23-year-old striker maintains his reputation as a relentless threat to opposing defences.
Haaland’s commitment to continuous improvement drives him to stay a step ahead of his competitors.
This dedication encompasses even his bedtime routine.
In pursuit of optimal performance on the field, the determined forward leaves no aspect unaddressed, seeking every possible advantage to enhance his game.
Haaland has told Logan Paul’s YouTube show ‘Impaulsive’ of his somewhat bizarre sleeping rituals: “Movement, training, biomechanics, I’m a bit into, to use your body and make it work and function in the best possible way – I’m really into that. And I think sleep is the most important thing in the world.
“So to sleep good, simple kind of things – blue blocking glasses, shutting out all the signals in the bedroom, I think is really important. [It’s about] small things. I think doing a lot of things is not good but doing small things every single day for a longer period really pays off.”
He added when Paul revealed that he uses tape on his nose in a bid to open up his airways: “You should try and tape your mouth then! Why not! [Or] when you train? It would be a bit difficult. I have it, I sleep with it.”
Haaland also said of using a sauna on a daily basis: “I have it at home so I try and do it not every single day but almost every day.
Sauna, steam room.” His methods may not be to everyone’s taste, but they are clearly working and there is the promise of many more goals to come from the current holder of the Premier League’s Golden Boot.
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland didn’t do very well in the important final game. This has caused some worry among people who follow football.
They’re concerned because there’s an upcoming event called the Ballon d’Or, where the best player in the world is chosen.
In this event, Haaland will be competing directly with Lionel Messi, who is a really famous and skilled player.
Messi recently won the 2022 FIFA World Cup, which is a huge accomplishment. The fact that Haaland didn’t perform well in the finals makes people wonder if he will be able to compete strongly against Messi for the Ballon d’Or award.
Haaland performed poorly once more for Manchester City in a championship game; this time, it led to an Arsenal attempt that was unsuccessful on penalties in the Community Shield.
In the Community Shield match against Arsenal, Erling Haaland performed poorly.
Before Leandro Trossard equalised for the Gunners in the 101st minute, he was replaced in the 65th minute by academy star Cole Palmer, who scored a gorgeous curler and appeared to have won it for City.
Despite moving to the club from Borussia Dortmund last summer, the 23-year-old played in four finals for the English champions, including two Community Shield contests.
According to Squawka, he had 13 touches, attempted six passes, only completed four of them, and did not attempt a shot against Arsenal because France international defender William Saliba completely shut him out.
Sofascore went on to break down each of his performances in the club’s four finals to date, beginning with the Community Shield loss to Liverpool from the previous year, in which he had 16 touches, played three shots, and missed a significant opportunity.
The EPL golden boot winner had a similar performance in the FA Cup final against Manchester United when he had 35 touches and took three shots as Ilkay Gundogan came clutch for City with two goals early in either half to help with a 2-1 victory.
His outing in his biggest final so far, the 2023 UEFA Champions final, was dismal, as he had only 19 touches of the ball with only one shot. Spanish midfielder Rodri scored the only goal for Pep Guardiola’s men to complete a historic treble.
He had another quiet outing in the UEFA Super Cup final, he had zero shot on target meaning he couldn’t score, but buried his penalty.
His rival Lionel Messi, in the World Cup final against France, scored twice to help Argentina to a 3-3 draw and scored the first penalty of the shootout to help win the Mundial, a tournament Haaland was absent from as Norway did not qualify.
Reportedly, Borussia Dortmund’s players are content withJude Bellingham’s departure to Real Madrid due to the midfielder’s apparent desire to be the focal point of attention.
As per information from Bild, the Dortmund players perceive that Bellingham felt overshadowed by Erling Haaland.
They highlight instances where Bellingham independently acknowledged the fans after matches, rather than with his teammates.
Throughout last season, he was tasked with leading the team on multiple occasions; however, his peers held the view that he lacked strong leadership attributes and displayed a moody demeanor, leading to internal tensions within the squad.
During the 2021-22 Europa League campaign, following Borussia Dortmund’s elimination by Rangers, the report specifies that Jude Bellingham directed insults at Nico Schulz.
According to lip readers, he reportedly said, “You can’t play a fing pass, you’re fing s**t! Every damn time!”
Instances of Bellingham’s reported outbursts towards his teammates were not isolated, as several occasions during the previous season saw him lose his temper.
However, positive changes have been noted since the appointment of the new club captain, Emre Can, who is believed to have injected revitalising energy into the team’s locker room.
Bellingham’s successor, former Manchester United midfielder Marcel Sabitzer, has also gained favour among his fellow players.
Furthermore, more senior members like Sebastian Haller have taken on weightier responsibilities within the team council, particularly for the English-speaking players.
Having made a move to Madrid for a fee initially set at €103 million (£89 million or $110 million), Bellingham appears to have found his footing in his new environment.
The transfer fee could potentially increase by an additional €30 million (£26 million or $32 million) if certain performance targets are achieved.
He made a notable impact by scoring in Madrid’s La Liga opener against Athletic Club, and he aims to replicate his impressive contributions in the upcoming match against Almeria.
Kylian Mbappe has received a cautionary message: in case the French striker prolongs his contract with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), Real Madrid is prepared to redirect their attention towards Erling Haaland.
Following productive discussions between the French forward and PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi, Mbappe has been reinstated to the first team.
Nevertheless, reports indicate that there have been no talks about an extension, and Mbappe seems willing to forgo his loyalty bonus in order to leave on a free transfer next summer.
While PSG is eager for Mbappe to renew his contract to avoid a free departure, it appears that a final agreement is distant at the moment.
However, if Mbappe’s decision takes a different direction, Real Madrid icon Guti has issued a warning: Los Blancos will pivot away from their pursuit of Mbappe and instead redirect their focus towards Erling Haaland, the star of Manchester City.
“I want Mbappe to play for Real Madrid. Real cannot afford the luxury of closing the door to such a player,” Guti told El Chiringuito.
“But if Mbappe extends his contract with PSG, it will show that he is acting for the money. If that happens, Real Madrid will have to opt for Erling Haaland.”
Since the departure of Karim Benzema, Real Madrid has yet to secure the services of a top-tier striker, leaving their No. 9 jersey unoccupied.
Although Carlo Ancelotti has considered the possibility of proceeding through the 2023–24 season without acquiring a new No. 9, this stance might shift if the team encounters difficulty finding the net without a prominent forward.
Real Madrid is set to return to the field on Saturday for a La Liga encounter against Almeria.
Guardiola was openly seen chastising Haaland as the first-half concluded at Turf Moor, vociferously addressing the player and expressing his displeasure as they proceeded down the tunnel.
Speaking at halftime during Sky’s coverage of the game, Neville said: “There’ll be some people who’ll love the intensity of that and say that that’s why he’s the best manager on the planet. Then there’ll be others who will say that you shouldn’t do that in a public forum, grabbing his arm in front of the cameras.
“I played for one of the most intense managers in the history of the game [Sir Alex Ferguson] – but he’d never have done that on the pitch in such a way.”
Guardiola then went on to explain why he was telling Haaland off at half-time, saying: “‘He wanted the ball in behind him, and that ball didn’t have to be behind him.
Sometimes you have to be patient to find the right moment. He was not frustrated, and I am not frustrated. In football, it happens. Don’t be dramatic.”
Notwithstanding the prominent reprimand from Guardiola, Haaland managed to net two goals as City cruised to a 3-0 victory. City’s upcoming fixture is in theUEFA Super Cup against Sevilla during the midweek.
The2023 Ballon d’Or race has already evolved into a showdown between a seasoned superstar and one of his potential successors.
Despite being 35 years old, Lionel Messi remains a strong contender for the individual award, with the chance to secure an unprecedented eighth title.
Yet, Manchester City’s Erling Haaland is poised to challenge Messi’s position in the October voting.
In 2021, L’Equipe, the magazine responsible for organizing the annual gala honoring outstanding individual performances, introduced modifications to the Ballon d’Or criteria shortly after Messi claimed his seventh accolade, as reported by Marca.
Past criticisms about the selection criteria prompted the French publication to address these issues by implementing new changes that became effective in 2022, when former Real Madrid star Karim Benzema emerged as the winner.
Sports Brief has previously covered some of the most contentious decisions in the history of the Ballon d’Or awards.
1.Based on season, not year
Prior to the 2022 vote, the Ballon d’Or recipient was consistently chosen based on their performances within a calendar year, spanning from January to December. However, under the revised regulations, the voting process shifted to revolve around a standard season, typically commencing from August to July of the subsequent year.
If the previous rule had remained in effect, the 2022 World Cup would not have been considered in determining the 2023 awardee. Consequently, Messi and Benzema would have contended for the 2022 accolade, leaving Haaland with a clear path to this year’s recognition.
Lesser votes for member countries Previously, nearly all the member countries of FIFA were allowed to vote. However, this was trimmed down to only the top 100 nations in the FIFA rankings and the top 50 nations in the women’s vote.
As it stands, 20 African countries will be eligible to vote for the 2023 winner.
L’Equipe reiterated that this will be in full swing going forward, with voters asked to look at how a player performed individually first before coming to what he/she achieved with his/her team. The other criteria will be the players’ ability and sense of fair play.
Going by this metric, Messi seems to have an edge over Haaland going into the 2023 vote. The Norwegian might have scored 52 goals in 53 competitions compared to Messi’s 38 goals, but the Argentine delivered in key games in the run to the World Cup victory.
The new Inter Miami star also won FIFA’s The Best award, compared to Haaland’s Premier League Player of the Season. When it comes to collective achievements, the Manchester City striker also won the treble, though one might argue the World Cup trophy trounces that.
Involvement of specialists for nominees Normally, it used to be the editorial staff of the magazine that compiled the list of nominees. 30 players often make the cut for the Ballon d’Or, with 20 others for the Kopa Trophy.
However, in 2022 and going forward, L’Équipe brought on board other specialists, like 2012 Champions League winner Didier Drogba. It is expected that they will have a variety of specialists to help in selecting the nominees and eventual winners.
Why Messi will beat Haaland Sports Brief has also given a breakdown of why Messi holds the Ballon d’Or advantage over Haaland in the 2023 vote despite the Manchester City star winning the cup treble.
Apart from the World Cup factor, the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner starred in major games compared to the Norwegian’s outings in big games in the Champions League.
Haaland’s meteoric rise to fame began when he scored a remarkable hat-trick on his Champions League debut while playing for RB Salzburg in 2019. Since then, he has become a well-known brand in the football world.
His prolific goal-scoring abilities were evident during his time at Borussia Dortmund, where he netted an impressive 86 goals in just two-and-a-half seasons.
This exceptional performance led to a blockbuster move to Manchester City under the guidance of Pep Guardiola last summer.
In his debut season with the Cityzens, Haaland not only broke the Premier League’s single-season goal-scoring record but also played a crucial role in helping Manchester City secure their maiden Champions League title.
It was a historic season for both Haaland and the team, as they achieved the treble.
Haaland’s earnings are truly staggering, as he commands a jaw-dropping salary of close to £900,000 or $1.15 million per week, amounting to around £45 million / $57.37 million per season. Such a lucrative contract positions him as one of Europe’s highest-earning players.
Thanks to his substantial income, the 22-year-old enjoys a lavish lifestyle that includes an impressive collection of high-end vehicles in his garage, showcasing his penchant for beautiful rides.
Let’s find out which vehicles ‘The Terminator’ drives.
Ferrari Monza SP2: £1.4 million or $1.8 million The most expensive car in Haaland’s collection is the roofless Ferrari Monza SP2, a stunning black-coloured two-seater that the former Dortmund prodigy was seen riding in Monaco in July.
There are only 500 models of the Ferrari Monza SP2 that have been built, which makes this stellar sports car a limited edition vehicle, with each one costing an outrageous £1.4 million / $1.8 million. Zlatan Ibrahimovic is an owner of this car, too.
Based on the classic open-top “barchetta” racing model of the 1940s and 1950s, including the 1948 166 MM and the 750 and 860 Monza, the ‘Prancing Horse’ has an 812 Superfast 6.5-liter V-12 engine that gives a total output of 798 horsepower and 530 pound-feet of torque.
This car can reach 100 kmph (62 mph) in just 2.9 seconds and can hit a top speed of 303 kmph (188 mph).
Rolls Royce Cullinan | £300,000 / $382,440 Rolls Royce Cullinan is another bombshell of a ride that Haaland owns, an extremely classy vehicle that superstars such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Thibaut Courtois own, too.
Owning a white-coloured model,Haaland has been spotted driving one of his most lavish cars yet on his own. Despite weighing more than 2.7 tonnes, it has a 570bhp 5.7 V12 engine and can reach top speeds of 250 kmph / 155 mph, while hitting the 100 kmph / 62 mph mark in just five seconds.
Range Rover Sport P510e First Edition | £120,000 / $152,976 The most leased car by Premier League footballers back in 2018, Haaland is often seen driving the Range Rover Sport P510e First Edition in England. This car can reach speeds of 100 kmph (62 mph) in 4.3 seconds and has a top speed of 284 kmph (176 mph).
Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S 4Matic Coupe | £90,000 / $114,732 Haaland used this premium Mercedes Benz car during his time as a Dortmund player. The 612 horsepower produced by the aluminum V8 engine paired with a 9-speed automated transmission allows the German SUV with the AMG label to reach a top speed of 280 kmph (174 mph).
Haaland in his range
Audi RS6 Avant | £120,000 / $152,976 The Audi RS6 Avant Performance quattro owned by Haaland is one of only two cars in his fantastic collection that isn’t an SUV. Back when he was plying his trade in Germany, he had a red Audi RS6 Avant.
However, he has now switched to a more trendy carbon black performance model in the UK. The Performance version boosts performance to 630 hp and 850 Nm of torque, enabling it to hit 280 kmph (174 mph) and accelerate to 100 kmph (62 mph) from zero in just 3.4 seconds.
Pep Guardiola has issued a warning to other Premier League teams while showering praise on Erling Haaland for his impressive fitness and form.
The Manchester City manager lauded the young star’s improved physical condition, evident during a pre-season match against Yokohama Marinos, where Haaland scored two goals in a 5-3 victory.
Guardiola emphasized the significance of Haaland finding the back of the net early in pre-season to regain his rhythm and top form.
The striker had a remarkable debut season in England, setting a Premier League scoring record with an impressive 36 goals.
However, his performance declined towards the end of the season, making these early pre-season goals a positive indicator for City and a potential sign of great things to come.
Speaking to reporters, Guardiola said, “Comparing last season, that period. He is fitter, much better, than last season when he arrived.
“I know we would love to be like last season. He looks good, but he is still a way from the best condition, like everyone.
“So, most important for him was to score two goals in the first game, because last season in the last games, he could not score. Important is the rhythm, the principles, we are working with all the time.
“We know exactly what he has to do; we know him, and in a few weeks we will be in better condition than now.”
Haaland’s phenomenal goal-scoring record last season made him one of the most sought-after players in world football.
With his improved fitness and form, City’s rivals in the Premier League should take note, as Guardiola’s assessment suggests Haaland could be an even more potent threat in the upcoming season.
His ability to find the net consistently makes him a key player in City’s title defense.
Guardiola’s side will be next seen in action in a friendly against Bayern Munich on July 26.
During Manchester City’s pre-season tour in Tokyo,superstar striker Erling Haaland received a delightful surprise from his teammates on his 23rd birthday.
Jack Grealish warmly welcomed him into a room where a birthday cake had been prepared, and the team serenaded Haaland with a cheerful rendition of the happy birthday song.
City will play friendly matches in Japan and South Korea as they prepare to defend their Champions League, Premier League, and FA Cup titles next season.
Haaland will use the tour to get back to full fitness and boost his hopes of improving on last season’sGolden Boot-winning tally of 36 Premier League goals.
Haaland and his co-stars will take on Yokohama F. Marinos in their first pre-season match on Sunday.
During Manchester City’s pre-season tour in Tokyo,superstar striker Erling Haaland received a delightful surprise from his teammates on his 23rd birthday.
Jack Grealish warmly welcomed him into a room where a birthday cake had been prepared, and the team serenaded Haaland with a cheerful rendition of the happy birthday song.
City will play friendly matches in Japan and South Korea as they prepare to defend their Champions League, Premier League, and FA Cup titles next season.
Haaland will use the tour to get back to full fitness and boost his hopes of improving on last season’sGolden Boot-winning tally of 36 Premier League goals.
Haaland and his co-stars will take on Yokohama F. Marinos in their first pre-season match on Sunday.
Recently, Haaland was photographed alongside Kim Kardashian at a Dolce & Gabbana event, where he was accompanied by rapper Future and singer Doyoung.
Indeed, the D&G brand ambassador has been ridiculed by some for his outlandish outfit choices, with one fan writing: “Bro you need a stylist tf!! “, while another added: “Grandma wants her dress back .
However, at an EA Sports event in which Haaland was pictured in a garish green outfit, it was the City striker who had the last laugh, beating TikTok influencer Iran Ferreira 7-2.
Haaland’s gaming updates were part of the official reveal of the new EA SPORTS FC game on July 13.
The new rebrand of EA Sports’ famous football video game series will follow tradition by being launched in autumn 2023, amid a huge amount of hype from fans of the franchise. Currently, it’s rumoured that the game will be launched on September 29.
Haaland might be getting plenty of attention for his fashion choices and celebrity video gaming adventures right now, but soon he’ll be in the thick of an intense pre-season training camp with Manchester City.
The club fly over to Asia next week to play fixtures in South Korea and Japan, with the first friendly taking place at Tokyo’s National Stadium against Yokohama F Marinos on July 24.
The Norwegian striker and the lifestyle icon may not appear to have any connections, yet they are both brand ambassadors for the renowned clothing company Dolce & Gabbana.
The Instagram account of the American celebrity had numerous images, including the one with Haaland.
Fans immediately took to social media after the photo was revealed to talk about Kardashian having linked up with PSG’s Kylian Mbappe just a week earlier.
