Erling Haaland Looks Displeased After Awarding Himself Player of the Match

Erling Haaland delivered another impressive performance for Manchester City, scoring two goals in their 2-2 draw against Monaco in the Champions League, which earned him the player of the match award. Despite his achievements, Haaland appeared unenthusiastic when posing with the trophy, displaying a serious, almost unhappy expression.

The Norwegian striker’s mood was likely influenced by Monaco leveling the score in stoppage time, after Eric Dier converted a penalty following a foul on Nico Gonzalez. Haaland expressed his frustration in post-match comments, acknowledging that the team didn’t play well enough and deserved the draw rather than a win.

Post-Match Reflections

Asked what was missing from City’s performance, Haaland cited energy and intensity, noting that the team needed to press more like they did in the first half. He remarked, “We dominated much more early on, but in the second half, Monaco took advantage more, and that’s not good enough.”

Individually, Haaland reflected on his contributions, stating, “Even without many touches, I try to be involved in the game through off-ball movements and creating space for teammates. It’s not just about touching the ball.” However, he admitted that in the second half, he failed to do his part, missing a goal opportunity and ultimately not finishing the game as he wished.

Not Just Haaland: A Trend of Displeasure

Haaland isn’t the first top player to appear less than thrilled with receiving a player of the match award. During the 2022 World Cup, Kai Havertz’s photograph after being named the best player against Costa Rica went viral, showing a similar expression of dissatisfaction despite scoring twice in Germany’s comeback victory.

Havertz’s impact helped Germany overturn a 2-1 deficit to win 4-2, but the team later failed to advance, as Japan’s victory over Spain secured their knockout qualification instead.