LOCKER ROOM TENSIONS: Haaland Slams Foden for Selfish Play – Young Star Fires Back with Shocking Response

Tensions are boiling inside the Manchester City dressing room after Erling Haaland publicly criticized teammate Phil Foden following the club’s victory over Wydad AC at the FIFA Club World Cup. While the scoreboard reflected a solid performance, the atmosphere behind the scenes tells a different story – one of frustration, rivalry, and an unexpected war of words between two of City’s brightest stars.

Haaland Calls Out Foden’s Attitude

Despite Manchester City’s 2-0 win, all eyes were on the post-match drama rather than the result. Norwegian goal machine Erling Haaland shocked fans and media alike with a bold statement directed at Phil Foden, who scored a crucial goal in the match.

“Yes, he scored — but that was just the result of selfishness,” Haaland said in the mixed zone after the game. “We’re a team, not a highlight reel. There were clear opportunities to pass, to involve others, and he chose to ignore them. That’s not how we win trophies.”

The remarks were not only unexpected but unusually direct from the typically composed striker. Haaland’s tone reportedly reflected the frustration brewing during the game, where multiple attacks fizzled out due to what some perceived as Foden’s overdribbling and reluctance to pass in key moments.

Foden Breaks Silence: “I’m Not Just Here to Feed Haaland”

Phil Foden, known for his quiet demeanor off the pitch, didn’t take the criticism lightly. Within hours of Haaland’s remarks going public, the England international issued a fiery response in an exclusive interview:

“I respect Erling, but I’m not just here to feed him the ball,” Foden declared. “I play to win. I play to make an impact. If I see a chance, I take it. That goal was mine because I earned it — not because I ignored anyone.”

He continued,

“This team is full of talent. We’re not here to serve one player’s agenda. I love this club, and I’ll always give 100%, whether that means assisting or scoring myself.”

Foden’s words sparked a media storm, with fans and pundits divided over who was right. Was Haaland justified in calling out selfish play, or did Foden have every right to assert himself as more than just a support act?

Pep Guardiola Caught in the Middle

Now, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola finds himself in the difficult position of managing egos and preserving unity ahead of crucial upcoming matches. During the post-match press conference, Guardiola downplayed the situation but did not deny the existence of tension.

“This is football. Emotions run high. They are both passionate players who want to win. We’ll sort it out internally,” he said with a slight smirk.

However, sources close to the team suggest this incident is not isolated. There have been whispers of growing friction between the two young stars as they both try to carve out leadership roles within a star-studded squad.

What This Means for Manchester City

With the Club World Cup still in progress and the Premier League title race heating up, the timing of this internal feud couldn’t be worse. Manchester City’s strength has long been its unity — a collective identity over individual brilliance. But if Haaland and Foden fail to bury the hatchet, the consequences could be far-reaching.

Fans will now be watching closely in the next fixture: Will Guardiola bench one of them to send a message? Will they be seen linking up on the pitch, or avoiding each other entirely?

One thing is certain — this story is far from over. And in a team where every detail is scrutinized, even the smallest crack can shake the foundation.