Manchester City’s Erling Haaland has impressed this season, managing 12 goals and an assist from nine matches. The striker has extended those impressive displays for Norway.
Last month, Haaland scored five times and registered two assists in Norway’s 11-0 World Cup qualifier victory over Moldova.
Two days ago, the Manchester City star netted a hat-trick in his national team’s 5-0 win over Israel. Norway will take on New Zealand in a friendly fixture on Tuesday, which, perhaps subsequently, is a match he’ll miss.
Dagbladet report Norway football association have confirmed Haaland and four other players have withdrawn from the squad.
The 25-year-old has started for Manchester City in every match in the Premier League and the Champions League this season. The players who have had a busy schedule with their respective clubs have been released.
Norway manager Ståle Solbakken has decided to give these players rest as the clash against New Zealand is inconsequential.
“Everyone who has played a lot of Champions League was told to go home. But Patrick Berg refused to go,” he said.
The report states it’s ‘rare’ from Solbakken to release players between matches.
Dagbladet captured the Manchester City frontman boarding a private jet on Sunday. They report he’s travelling to Malaga.
Haaland will have sufficient rest ahead of Pep Guardiola’s side facing Everton on Saturday.