Haaland admits mistake in FA Cup final: “I should have taken the penalty”
Striker takes responsibility for crucial miss, vows to step up as team leader
Manchester City forward Erling Haaland has admitted to making a costly error in the FA Cup final, conceding he should have taken the penalty that ultimately slipped through the club’s fingers.
In an interview with TIME magazine, Haaland reflected on the pivotal moment when he allowed teammate Omar Marmoush a new arrival to take a crucial spot kick, which was missed. City went on to lose the final, missing out on another potential trophy under manager Pep Guardiola.
“I shouldn’t have given it to a new player. All the responsibility is mine,” Haaland said. “I put him in that situation. I should have taken the penalty.”
A Costly Lesson in Leadership
The Norwegian striker’s admission comes amid a broader push by Guardiola to bolster Haaland’s influence in the dressing room. Following the incident, the club named Haaland as part of the leadership group, with the aim of grooming him into a long-term team captain.
Rooney: ‘Messi or Ronaldo Would Never’
The decision sparked criticism from Wayne Rooney, Manchester United legend, who publicly questioned Haaland’s mindset.
“Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo would never give that ball away. They’re obsessed with scoring,” Rooney told the BBC.
Despite the missed opportunity and an injury-hit season, Haaland remained Manchester City’s top scorer with 31 goals in 48 appearances.
City Betting on Haaland Through 2034
Manchester City extended Haaland’s contract through 2034, reinforcing their intention to build the club’s next chapter around him not just as a goal scorer, but as a central leader.
Since arriving from Borussia Dortmund in 2022, Haaland has scored a remarkable 124 goals in 146 games, firmly establishing himself as one of the club’s most prolific strikers in modern history.
