Erling Haaland Vows “I’ll Be Back” After Injury Blow

MANCHESTER, England – Manchester City’s Erling Haaland has vowed to return stronger after being ruled out for up to seven weeks with an ankle injury, a setback that could significantly impact City’s pursuit of silverware this season.

The Norwegian striker suffered the injury during City’s 2-1 FA Cup quarter-final victory over Bournemouth on Sunday, where he netted his 30th goal of the season before being forced off just past the hour mark following a challenge from Lewis Cook.

City boss Pep Guardiola provided an update on Tuesday, confirming that club doctors have estimated Haaland’s recovery time to be between five and seven weeks.

“The doctors told me between five and seven weeks, so hopefully, he will be ready for the end of the season and the Club World Cup,” Guardiola stated in a press conference.

The 24-year-old forward later took to Instagram, echoing Guardiola’s optimism with a message that simply read: “I’ll be back”, a nod to Arnold Schwarzenegger’s famous line in The Terminator, accompanied by a flexed biceps emoji. The post included an image of Haaland with his left foot in a protective boot, arms raised while holding a pair of crutches.

Major Blow to City’s Season Ambitions

Haaland’s absence is a significant setback for Manchester City, who are still fighting on multiple fronts. The Premier League champions face a crucial Manchester derby against Manchester United on Sunday, a fixture Haaland will now miss.

His injury also rules him out of the FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest, scheduled for April 26 or 27, while his availability for the FA Cup final on May 17—just one day shy of the seven-week recovery estimate—remains uncertain.

City’s final Premier League fixture is against Fulham on May 25, followed by their Club World Cup opener against Wydad Casablanca in the United States on June 18. If Haaland’s recovery progresses as expected, he could return in time to feature in City’s bid for global supremacy.

Can City Cope Without Their Star Striker?

With Haaland sidelined, Guardiola will likely turn to Julián Álvarez as his primary striker, while players like Phil Foden and Kevin De Bruyne will need to step up in front of goal. The Sky Blues have depth in attack, but replacing Haaland’s goal-scoring prowess will be a daunting challenge.

Manchester City fans will be hoping their talisman returns stronger than ever, but for now, the club must navigate a defining period of their season without their most prolific finisher.