When the penalty was blown, the eyes of 90,000 spectators were on the "Norwegian Giant" - Erling Haaland in the FA Cup final. But the unexpected happened: he backed away, giving the decisive 11m penalty to Omar Marmoush. And when Henderson successfully saved the shot, a big question loomed: Is Haaland ready to step into the shadow of Messi and Ronaldo?
The Line Between Talent and Legend
For nearly two decades, world football has been dominated by two extraordinary individuals: Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. They have not only won all the most prestigious titles but also redefined the limits of human beings in the king of sports . But what makes them “immortal” is not only their natural talent or diligence, but also their outstanding mental fortitude.
Wayne Rooney - who has faced and played alongside both superstars - has pointed out an undeniable common point. Ronaldo and Messi always crave responsibility in every decisive situation.
Penalty? Free kick? Moment of pressure? They not only do not back down but actively demand the right to take it. This is not ordinary selfishness. This is the selfishness of people who never doubt their own ability, the ego of winning that is ingrained in their DNA.
Now, with the world pinning its hopes on Haaland as the successor to the two legends, his decision to refuse a penalty in the FA Cup final has become a milestone. This not only reflects the mentality of a young player returning from injury, but also shows the thin psychological line between outstanding individuals and eternal legends.
Haaland is not good enough to become a legend. |
No one can deny the talent of Erling Haaland. 120 goals in just 140 games for Manchester City in all competitions. Back-to-back hat-tricks. Top-notch goalscoring ability and outstanding size and speed. But with stars like Messi and Ronaldo, statistics only tell half the story.
The other half lies in the ability to “carry the team”, the courage in moments of pressure and the endless desire. Throughout their careers, Messi and Ronaldo have never shied away from responsibility. On the contrary, they seek those moments as a way to assert their position.
When Ronaldo was faced with the decisive penalty in the 2016 Champions League, none of the 11 Real Madrid players dared to challenge the right to take it. When Messi was given the responsibility of taking the penalty in the 2022 World Cup final, none of the Argentina squad dared to question the decision. That is the biggest difference between them and the rest of the football world.
Pep and the story of freedom to decide
Pep Guardiola, as a talented coach, understands the psychology of players better than anyone. He admits that the decision to take a penalty is often agreed upon by the players on the field, based on the feeling and confidence at that moment.
But behind those words was a harsh reality. The Spanish strategist must not have been pleased to see his main striker retreat at the most important moment.
Guardiola has worked with Messi and other superstars at Barcelona and Bayern Munich. He knows that mental toughness is something that cannot be taught in training sessions. It is forged over time, through failure and success, and especially through moments of greatest pressure.
Haaland still has a lot to improve. |
Haaland's decision to concede the penalty not only affected the match but also raised questions about his mental maturity. Is the former Dortmund star ready to take on the responsibility in decisive moments? Or does he still need more time to mature?
On the other hand, Crystal Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson is a testament to the power of confidence. With his experience of successfully saving a penalty at Wembley, he entered the situation with the mindset of a winner.
Henderson studied his opponent, correctly predicted Marmoush's shot and made a superb save. There was no hesitation, no fear. Just absolute confidence in his own ability. That's the mentality of champions - something Haaland needs to learn.
The goalkeeper, though not as highly regarded as Haaland or with the same reputation, showed exceptional character in crucial moments. The lesson here is clear: in top-level football, talent is necessary but not sufficient. Mental fortitude is the deciding factor.
Haaland's story at Wembley is not the end of his brilliant career. On the contrary, this could be a valuable lesson for the Norwegian striker to mature further on his path to conquer the top.
At 24, Haaland still has plenty of time to develop, not only technically but also mentally. But what he needs to understand is this: to join the ranks of legends like Messi and Ronaldo, you must nurture within yourself a strong desire to win and absolute confidence in yourself.
Football is not just a battle of feet and tactics. It is also a game of spirit and character. Decisive moments like the penalty at Wembley are the test that separates the great from the great.
Will Haaland turn this moment of failure into motivation to rise up? Or will he forever stop at the position of a talented player but not brave enough to step into legend? The answer will be revealed in the coming seasons, when Manchester City continues to conquer new heights.
But one thing is certain: to become a cold-blooded "hunter" like Messi and Ronaldo, Haaland needs to learn to crave the most pressured moments. Because only in those moments are legends born.
Source: https://znews.vn/haaland-con-kem-xa-ronaldo-messi-post1553834.html
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