Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has been given permission to return to his club early and will not feature in Norway’s upcoming friendly against New Zealand on Tuesday. The decision comes as part of a mutual agreement between the player, national team staff, and Manchester City, ensuring the prolific forward gets some well-deserved rest before the Premier League season resumes.
Haaland, 25, has been in scintillating form for Norway, recently netting a hat-trick in their last outing to help his nation secure an emphatic win. With the next fixture being a non-competitive friendly, Norway manager Ståle Solbakken has decided to allow the striker an early break, prioritizing his fitness ahead of a demanding club and international calendar.
“Erling has had a very intense few weeks both for club and country. This friendly offers us a chance to test new players and give him time to recover,” Solbakken said.
The move will likely please Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, who has often emphasized the importance of managing Haaland’s workload to avoid fatigue or injury. The Norwegian star has been central to City’s success since joining in 2022, and his form remains vital as the club continues to compete on multiple fronts.
