Erling Haaland may not have played for Manchester City at the Club World Cup, but his attitude in Saudi Arabia became a story in the Brazilian media.
It all took place in Jeddah, where Fluminense are also waiting to face Pep Guardiola’s side. There, families of the Brazilian side were at a mall and saw the Norwegian striker.
Globo Esporte first features quotes from Giovanna Costi, who’s Paulo Henrique Ganso’s wife. She says Haaland refused to take a photo with her son.
“It was horrible. Henrico is horrified! He was a fan! He doesn’t even want to mention his name now… There were only 6 children, they couldn’t get close, he didn’t even say goodbye from afar. He pretended they didn’t exist.
“The children were very sad! What’s the chance of meeting an idol like that? In the street. There was no-one there, empty. It wouldn’t have taken more than five seconds! Anyway. Even in pain, you learn, right? I’m sure these children will take something good from today!”
Karina Xavier, wife of Fluminense fullback Samuel Xavier, also said something about the Manchester City player.
“I still can’t get over the fact that Haaland didn’t say hello to the children who are his super-fans, he didn’t even look at them.”
Erling Haaland, as well as Jeremy Doku and Kevin De Bruyne, went to Saudi Arabia with Manchester City’s squad but are out of the Club World Cup due to injury.
Fluminense got to the final after beating Al-Ahly 2-0, while Manchester City beat Urawa Red Diamonds 3-0. They’re now playing the final on Friday evening, and besides the bigger motivation that South American sides usually have in this tournament, they’re also mad at the English media due to the treatment they’ve been getting.
