Man City Star Criticized for Penalty Decision in FA Cup Final Defeat
Wayne Rooney has delivered a brutal assessment of Erling Haaland’s ceiling, insisting neither the Norwegian nor Kylian Mbappe will ever reach the legendary status of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. The comments came after Haaland’s surprising decision to pass up a crucial penalty in Manchester City’s 1-0 FA Cup final loss to Crystal Palace.
The former Manchester United striker was baffled when Haaland allowed teammate Omar Marmoush to take the spot-kick – which was saved by Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson – instead of stepping up himself during Saturday’s Wembley showdown. “There’s no way Messi or Ronaldo are giving that ball away,” Rooney declared on BBC Sport. “That selfish desire to score in every game is what separated them. When Haaland misses chances, you can see it affects him.”
Haaland’s unusual moment of hesitation capped a frustrating season for City, who now face a tense battle for Champions League qualification. Pep Guardiola’s side sit sixth, just one point behind Chelsea and Aston Villa, though with a game in hand. The Norwegian striker’s 21-goal haul remains impressive, but pales in comparison to his record-breaking 36-goal debut campaign.
Guardiola admitted he expected Haaland to take the penalty, telling reporters: “These are things for them to decide in the moment. Maybe the pressure got to Omar – Henderson made a good save.” The City boss now faces a crucial final week to salvage their season, while Haaland must rediscover the ruthless edge that made him football’s most feared striker.
As Rooney’s comments reverberate through the football world, they raise bigger questions: In an era searching for the next Messi or Ronaldo, do today’s stars have the same insatiable hunger? For Haaland, the path to greatness may require more than just goals – it demands those clutch moments when legends seize responsibility.
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