Tough blow for the Norwegian national team: their star, Erling Braut Haaland, with muscle problems, was ruled out on Monday for the upcoming matches against Turkey and Montenegro in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers.
"Hello people, it's a pity that I can't be ready for the national team matches. I was really looking forward to it. In any case, good luck to Norway," tweeted the 21-year-old forward.
Haaland missed the last three matches with Borussia Dortmund, and his presence with Norway was in doubt.
"The injury seemed to be manageable, but unfortunately, the progress has been very slow," confirmed the Norwegian national team doctor, Ola Sand, in a statement from the Federation. "There is also a risk of complications if he returns too soon."
This absence adds to those of other important players on the Scandinavian team, such as Alexander Sorloth and Joshua King.
Norway, 2nd in Group G with 13 points, the same as the Netherlands (1st), will face Turkey in Istanbul on Friday, and then Montenegro on October 11th in Oslo.
"Haaland is a human being, not a machine"
The Borussia Dortmund coach, Marco Rose, referred to Erling Haaland's injury.
"Erling has been trying to play for days. Anyone who knows him also knows that he always wants to play. He didn't make it to the Champions League. He started in Gladbach and today it didn't work. And he said to me appropriately, 'coach, I would love to play, but I can't move the way I want to. I can't even walk'", commented the coach.
The coach regretted that Haaland could not join the Norwegian national team. "This is the status quo we are working with, and I think it would be smart if everyone stopped speculating. I understand the Norwegian federation. He is a human being, not a machine. If it doesn't work, it doesn't work."
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