Crystal Palace became the 2025 FA Cup champions over the weekend after beating Man City 1-0 at Wembley.
The contest was an entertaining affair with Man City-linked Eberechi Eze proving the difference between the two teams.
The final provided plenty of talking points as Mark Clattenburg believed Dean Henderson should have been sent off in the first half, which proved even more controversial minutes later as the English goalkeeper would save a penalty from Omar Marmoush.
Erling Haaland’s decision not to take the spot-kick proved to be another moment of discussion, and in the aftermath of their FA Cup success, Crystal Palace defender Daniel Munoz has revealed what he said to the Norwegian superstar right before Man City’s penalty was saved.
Photo by Michael Regan - The FA/The FA via Getty Images
Photo by Michael Regan – The FA/The FA via Getty Images
Daniel Munoz told Erling Haaland that Omar Marmoush would miss
Ever since moving to Man City during the summer of 2022, Haaland has been City’s designated penalty taker, and the Norwegian has mostly had success from the spot.
Therefore, it was a surprise when Marmoush stepped up to take the penalty in the FA Cup final, and Munoz has now revealed that he asked Haaland before the shot was taken why he wasn’t the one taking it.
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“I asked Erling Haaland why he didn’t take the penalty [in the FA Cup Final], since he’s Man City’s top scorer,” Munoz told Colombian outlet 10Sports. “He told me his teammate [Omar Marmoush] was also a good kicker. So, I told him, ‘If you don’t take the penalty, he’ll miss’.”
That proved to be the case, however, that was also not expected, as Marmoush had scored all seven of his penalties for Eintracht Frankfurt during the current campaign before making the switch to City in January.
Ian Wright can’t believe Haaland gave the penalty up, while Alan Shearer questioned the Man City striker’s mentality at the time.
The duo had some harsh criticism for the 24-year-old, and they were not the only ones in the aftermath of Man City’s FA Cup final defeat.
Photo by Michael Regan - The FA/The FA via Getty Images
Photo by Michael Regan – The FA/The FA via Getty Images
The backlash Erling Haaland has received after turning down Man City penalty
The reason for Haaland shying away from the penalty remains unknown, but Wright has stated that it is something that he would never have done during his playing career.
During the game, Shearer stated that it was a “big surprise” for him not to see the Norwegian step up to take the spot kick, and even questioned the mentality of the Man City striker for doing so, as it proved to be a crucial moment in the contest.
Wayne Rooney went a step further on the BBC’s coverage of the FA Cup final, saying that Haaland doesn’t have the same hunger for scoring goals as the likes of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappe.
“Erling Haaland is a world-class forward, but when we’re talking about Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, there’s no way they’re giving that ball away,” Rooney said on BBC One via ESPN.
“That’s what separates them two players from Erling Haaland or Kylian Mbappe and these players. They are selfish, and they want to score every game.”
A lot of the criticism Haaland has received seems unfair, as it is unknown why the Norwegian stepped away from the responsibility. Criticism should be reserved until then, but if it comes out that he just did not fancy it on the day, then all of the above is warranted.