Erling Haaland has never been one to shy away from the spotlight. Whether it’s dominating the Premier League goal charts or fueling fierce rivalries, the Manchester City striker remains one of football’s most talked-about figures — and in his latest interview with TIME magazine, he reminded critics exactly why.
Now 25, Haaland addressed a persistent narrative that has followed him since his record-breaking debut season in England — the notion that he’s merely a ‘tap-in merchant.’ Rather than take offense, the Norwegian embraced the label with trademark clarity and confidence.
“What’s the most difficult thing in football?” Haaland asked rhetorically. “If you’re a tap-in merchant, that means you’re scoring a lot of goals, no? There you kind of have the answer.”
In typical fashion, Haaland turned the jibe into a compliment, emphasizing how elite positioning, movement, and composure are vital traits often dismissed by casual observers.
“I like it if people call me a tap-in merchant. I love it. That means you’re doing something right — that a lot of other people can’t.”
This comes during a defining year for Haaland, in which he silenced transfer speculation by signing a new long-term contract with Manchester City, extending his stay until 2034. The deal ruled out any imminent move to Real Madrid and reaffirmed his deep connection to Pep Guardiola’s project and City’s evolving dominance.
Reflecting on Arsenal, Arteta & ‘Stay Humble’
The interview also saw Haaland revisit one of last season’s most talked-about moments — the post-match tension following City’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium, when he told Mikel Arteta to “stay humble.”
Months later, Arsenal delivered a brutal response, thrashing City 5-1 in the return fixture at the Emirates in February 2025. Haaland didn’t shy away from acknowledging the result — and Arsenal’s cheeky retaliation.
“They [Arsenal] won the game 5-1. So yeah, they got me,” Haaland admitted. “If [Arteta] wanted to use that moment to mock me, that’s fair enough. Whatever he wants to do, he can do.”
The striker also reacted to Arsenal youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly mimicking his signature meditation celebration in that win — a moment that went viral.
“It’s one of the most important things, as individuals, to do — stay humble,” Haaland reiterated, showing that while competitive fire fuels him, so does a grounded sense of self-awareness.
Eyes on Another Title Push
As Manchester City gear up for the 2025/26 season, Haaland’s mentality remains as sharp as ever. With a restructured attack expected under Guardiola and new creative options supporting him, the forward is again tipped to lead the Golden Boot race.
Whether it’s scoring thunderous volleys or tapping in from six yards, Haaland’s message is simple: every goal counts — and he’ll be there to score them.
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