Erling Haaland and Gabriel Magalhaes, whose club rivalry has simmered for two seasons, will now take their personal feud to the global stage when Norway meets Brazil in the World Cup last-16 in New York on Sunday. Haaland has scored five goals in three tournament matches, while Gabriel anchors an undefeated Brazilian defence.
The 2024/25 Flashpoint: Ball Thrown at Gabriel's Head
The animosity erupted during a crucial Premier League match between Manchester City and Arsenal in the 2024/25 season. After scoring a dramatic late equaliser for City, Haaland threw the ball directly at the back of Gabriel's head. In post-match interviews, Haaland dismissed the incident as routine, stating that on-pitch battles are like a war where such provocations are normal.
Gabriel's Furious Revenge in the Return Fixture
Gabriel was incensed by the disrespect and publicly warned he would retaliate when Arsenal hosted City. In the return match at the Emirates, Arsenal demolished City 5-1. After scoring, Gabriel celebrated wildly in Haaland's face. He later explained: "I did it because he threw the ball at my head, to provoke him the way he provoked me. The moment we scored, he was right next to me, so I went straight to shouting in his ear."
Escalation at the Etihad: Attempted Headbutt
The following season, during City's 2-1 home victory over Arsenal, tensions boiled over. Gabriel attempted to headbutt Haaland in the heat of the match. Referee Anthony Taylor showed both players yellow cards instead of sending Gabriel off. Haaland later claimed that by staying on his feet rather than falling, he inadvertently prevented Gabriel's dismissal.
Mockery and Social Media Retaliation
After City's win, Haaland taunted Gabriel by singing the lyrics "oh sometimes, I get a good feeling" from a Flo Rida song directly into a television camera. Months later, at the end of the domestic campaign, Gabriel posted a TikTok video of himself lifting the Premier League trophy, set to the same Flo Rida song, at exactly 3pm as a calculated riposte.
The feud now culminates in a World Cup knockout match, with both players in top form. Norway has exceeded expectations to reach the last-16, while Brazil remain tournament favourites. The personal subplot adds extra intensity to an already high-stakes encounter.
