Manchester City striker Erling Haaland in squad for RB Leipzig clash
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The gist
Manchester City named striker Erling Haaland in their 23-man squad to face RB Leipzig in the Champions League.
His father says the striker focuses on playing, not the club's financial-rules appeal.
Background
Erling Haaland is a 26-year-old striker for Manchester City and Norway, and had scored 12 goals in nine games to start the season. Manchester City, the English club, were found guilty of breaching the Premier League's financial rules over a nine-year period and are awaiting the outcome of an appeal. His father, Alfie Haaland, spoke to ViaPlay about how his son is handling the situation.
How it unfolded
- Oct 17, 2026Haaland scored two goals but limped off and quickly left the pitch at full-time after Manchester City beat Ipswich Town 3-2, with the injury seeming to occur in stoppage time when his shin caught Jack Clarke's boot.
- Oct 22, 2026City coach Enzo Maresca said Haaland was available for the trip to Aston Villa; Haaland, who had 12 goals in nine games, stayed on the bench through City's 5-1 Champions League win over AEK Athens.
- Nov 1, 2026Alfie Haaland told ViaPlay his son thinks about playing as much football as he can, and that it is more those outside the pitch who think about the club's situation.
- Nov 3, 2026Sports Direct and Nike recruited Haaland to front the 'Unwrap Potential' Christmas campaign alongside Dina Asher-Smith, Leah Williamson, Henry Pollock and Aitch.
- Nov 4, 2026Haaland was added to Manchester City's 23-man squad and confirmed to play as the target man against RB Leipzig in the Champions League; he had netted 12 goals in eight previous games against Leipzig.
Key terms
- Champions League
- An annual European club football competition organized by UEFA, featuring top-division clubs.
- Premier League
- The top professional football league in England, contested by 20 clubs with promotion and relegation.
Source: Wikipedia
Who’s saying what
- Family
- Alfie Haaland said his son concentrates on playing as much football as he can, and that it is more those outside the pitch who think about the club's situation.
- Family
- On the appeal, Alfie Haaland said there is 'nothing more than what's in the media,' which he called very one-sided, and that City cannot easily defend themselves during an ongoing appeal.
- Family
- Alfie Haaland said the allegations are serious but the appeal should be allowed to play out, and that punishing current players for irregularities from 2009 to 2018 would feel unfair 'in a way.'
- Official
- Manchester City have always maintained their innocence and are confident of clearing their name.
Still unverified
Haaland has 'reportedly' been calming his teammates down about the potential consequences of the verdict.