Pep Guardiola was absent the talismanic Erling Haaland in their 3-1 Champions League play-off loss to Real Madrid in 2024/25, and defender-turned-pundit Jamie Carragher has proposed an unusual explanation for the Norwegian’s absence.
Haaland, widely regarded as one of the top scorers in world football, trailing only Kylian Mbappe, whose hat-trick knocked the reigning Premier League winners out of Europe, was an injury doubt going into their Santiago Bernabeu clash.
The intimidating line-leader was withdrawn in the 88th minute of Manchester City’s 4-0 win over Newcastle United over the weekend due to an apparent knee injury. Guardiola, with a Champions League match on the horizon, took no chances.
Jamie Carragher’s Wild Claims for Haaland’s Absence
Micah Richards promptly contested his theory.
Prior to Sunday night, Guardiola and his team were hoping to win the Champions League in May, but their campaign was cut short when Mbappe scored three goals to knock them out. Haaland spent the complete 90 minutes on the bench.
Guillem Balague, commenting on CBS Sports ahead of kickoff, stated that Leeds-born Haaland, 24, notified Guardiola on Wednesday morning that he was not able to play after injuring his knee against the Magpies.
In response, Carragher, who played 737 games for Liverpool during his career, offered his own idea, maybe in jest, that Haaland was hesitant to take the field after learning that Antonio Rudiger had been declared fit to start for Los Blancos.
Unsure if Balague’s assertion was real, he added, “So let me figure this out. Haaland informed the manager this morning that he is not fit. Do you think that has anything to do with Rudiger? Is this because Rudiger is playing?
He’s on the bench, so he can’t get harmed. I never went to the manager on the morning of a game and told him I wasn’t fit. So, is he injured? It is Rudiger, is it not? Is this what we’re saying here?
Micah Richards was quick to interrupt, calling Carragher’s hypothesis ‘crazy’. He responded, “Look at him. Look at the narratives. It’s all rubbish. Come on, Jamie. You’re better than that.
Erling Haaland starts on the bench for Manchester City after telling Pep he doesn't feel 100% this morning 👀@Carra23, @MicahRichards, and Thierry Henry weigh in on City without their top scorer 👇 pic.twitter.com/IQQfz6b9Ye
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) February 19, 2025
Speaking after the game, Guardiola, widely considered as one of the best managers in football history, stated that Haaland had endeavoured to regain match fitness following his knock against Newcastle, but that returning too soon was not an option.
“Erling attempted to train in the final minutes of yesterday’s game against Newcastle.” Probably, with the images (scans) we’ve done, but he has difficulty walking, especially up stairs, and we chatted yesterday and this morning, and he said he’s not ready, he doesn’t feel good.”
Pep Guardiola discusses Erling Haaland's fitness after he did not play for Man City against Real Madrid pic.twitter.com/LX38uVtG85
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) February 20, 2025
Manchester City’s next match is against Premier League leaders Liverpool, who are hoping to win silverware in Arne Slot’s first season. At the time of writing, the two are separated by three places in the standings and 17 points.
