Manchester City’s Erling Haaland, the prolific Norwegian striker, posted a motivational “one more” message to fans on Instagram following his return to the starting lineup in City’s final Premier League match against Southampton on May 10, 2025, as reported by Football Insider on May 24, 2025. The post, which came ahead of City’s FA Cup final against Crystal Palace, drew significant engagement, including likes from Liverpool’s Dominik Szoboszlai and City teammate Jack Grealish, reflecting their support for Haaland’s rallying cry. Despite City’s underwhelming 2024/25 Premier League campaign, where they finished fifth, Haaland’s 30 goals in 40 appearances across all competitions, including 21 in the league, underscored his importance, per Football Insider.
Szoboszlai’s Enduring Friendship with Haaland
Szoboszlai, a close friend of Haaland from their time at RB Salzburg, has consistently shown support for the striker on social media, including liking Haaland’s training return post in February 2025 and reacting to his goal-scoring performance against Tottenham, per Football Insider on February 27, 2025. Their bond, highlighted by Szoboszlai’s 2023 comment to BBC Sport that they remain “really close” despite being rivals, was evident again here. Szoboszlai, who also commented a heart emoji on Haaland’s 2024 post hinting at impending fatherhood, per Liverpool Echo on October 11, 2024, demonstrates a camaraderie that transcends club rivalries. His reaction to the “one more” post, alongside Liverpool teammate Darwin Nunez’s earlier engagement with Haaland’s injury update in April 2025, reflects the respect Haaland commands, per Football Insider on April 8, 2025.
Grealish’s Support Amid Uncertain Future
Grealish’s like on Haaland’s post aligns with his frequent social media interactions with the striker, including a “Love it you” comment on a May 7, 2025, training update and a “Love it you” response to Grealish’s own hairstyle change post, per Football Insider and Manchester Evening News on May 7 and May 8, 2025. However, Grealish’s reaction comes against the backdrop of his uncertain future at Manchester City. Football Insider reported on May 24, 2025, that Grealish has told friends he doesn’t expect to remain at the Etihad next season, having been an unused substitute in five of seven Premier League matches and facing competition from younger players like Savinho and Omar Marmoush. His supportive gesture toward Haaland suggests lingering team spirit, even as he prepares for potential summer talks with Pep Guardiola about his role, per Football Insider on May 16, 2025.
Haaland’s ‘One More’ Message and City’s Ambitions
Haaland’s “one more” message, interpreted as a call to secure the FA Cup for Manchester City’s seventh consecutive year of silverware, resonated with teammates and rivals alike, per Football Insider on May 16, 2025. Despite a season marred by an ankle injury that sidelined him since March 2025 and City’s fifth-place Premier League finish, Haaland’s 30 goals and four assists in 40 appearances highlight his pivotal role, per Football Insider on May 2, 2025. His new nine-and-a-half-year contract, signed earlier in the season, positions him as the cornerstone of City’s rebuild, especially with Kevin De Bruyne’s confirmed departure and potential exits of players like Ederson and Bernardo Silva, per Football Insider on May 24 and May 7, 2025.
The “one more” post also follows Haaland’s return to full fitness, confirmed by his training updates and starting role against Southampton, where he struggled to make an impact but showed determination, per Football Insider on May 16, 2025. His leadership, both on and off the pitch, is evident in the reactions from players like Grealish, Josko Gvardiol, and even Aston Villa’s Amadou Onana, who liked his earlier recovery post, per Football Insider on May 2, 2025. Fans on X, like @CityReport_, celebrated the unity, posting, “Szoboszlai and Grealish backing Haaland’s mentality shows his influence,” while @MancityFC_ noted, “Haaland’s got the squad and even rivals behind him for the FA Cup push.”
A Pivotal Moment for City
Haaland’s message and the reactions it elicited underscore his central role in Manchester City’s quest for redemption in the FA Cup final. Szoboszlai’s consistent support, rooted in their Salzburg days, highlights a rare cross-club friendship, while Grealish’s engagement, despite his likely departure, reflects Haaland’s ability to inspire teammates. As City face Crystal Palace, Haaland’s “one more” rallying cry, backed by Szoboszlai and Grealish, sets the tone for a critical opportunity to salvage a challenging season and kickstart a new era at the Etihad.
