Erling Haaland’s decision not to take Manchester City’s penalty during their shock FA Cup final defeat to Crystal Palace has come under criticism.
Wayne Rooney has pointed to a gap in mentality between the Norwegian striker and all-time greats like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
City trailed 1-0 after Eberechi Eze’s strike, and when awarded a lifeline via a first-half penalty, it was Omar Marmoush who stepped up, only to be denied by Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson.
Haaland, who has missed three spot-kicks this season despite scoring four, declined the opportunity, a move that raised eyebrows among BBC pundits.
“There’s no way Messi or Ronaldo gives that ball away,” Rooney asserted. “That’s the difference. Haaland’s world-class, but that killer, selfish instinct, wanting to be the match-winner every single time, still separates him from those two.”
Rooney suggested the pressure of Wembley, combined with previous misses, may have overwhelmed the striker.
Alan Shearer echoed the sentiment: “If I’m fit, I’m taking that penalty. I don’t care if I’ve missed a few. That’s your responsibility as a top forward, no excuses.”
City’s attack struggled without that clinical edge, and the missed penalty proved decisive as Palace clinched their first major trophy.
With Champions League qualification not yet mathematically secured, City’s remaining league fixtures against Bournemouth and Fulham have taken on heightened importance.
