Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has sought the help of ‘Miracle Man’ John Haddad in a bid to overcome a foot injury and be fit in time for the FIFA Club World Cup. Haaland’s recent injury forced him to miss City’s Premier League win over Luton Town and kept him from traveling with the squad to Serbia for the midweek match against Red Star in the Champions League group stage.
Instead of joining his teammates in Serbia, Haaland traveled to Spain to work with biomechanics expert Haddad, who has been nicknamed the ‘Miracle Man’ by the Norwegian media. Haaland’s association with Haddad dates back to his time at Borussia Dortmund in 2020, where he sought treatment for a series of injury woes. Mario Pafundi, a member of City’s physio department, also accompanied Haaland to Spain, underscoring the club’s commitment to keeping their star player fit and healthy.
Having missed a considerable number of games in the past due to injuries, City is determined to ensure Haaland’s fitness both for club and country. Pafundi has been known to travel with Haaland even during international duty with the Norwegian national team.
Haaland rejoined the City squad in Manchester after their return from Belgrade and is expected to be part of the squad list for the Club World Cup. While he is unlikely to feature in the game against Crystal Palace, he is a crucial inclusion for the upcoming FIFA competition being held in Saudi Arabia. As UEFA Champions League winners, City have received an automatic bye to the semi-finals and are set to face Asian champions Urawa Red Diamonds of Japan. A potential final against either Copa Libertadores winner Fluminense or Egypt’s Al Ahly is also within reach for City.
The ongoing competition has already seen the elimination of Auckland City, Al Ittihad, and Leon. City’s pursuit of their sixth trophy of 2023 is underway, having secured victories in the Premier League, FA Cup, Champions League, Community Shield, and UEFA Super Cup earlier in the year. As such, the Club World Cup presents an opportunity for City to further solidify their dominance in world football.
The absence of Haaland from the upcoming Premier League encounter against Crystal Palace will undoubtedly be felt, but City’s focus is on ensuring his full recovery in time for the Club World Cup. With a talented and deep squad at their disposal, Pep Guardiola’s side will look to maintain their winning momentum as they continue their quest for more silverware in the current season.
In the coming days, all eyes will be on Haaland as he seeks to overcome his foot injury and make a decisive impact at the FIFA Club World Cup, aiming to help City secure yet another prestigious honor in their already illustrious trophy cabinet.
