Explained: Why Erling Haaland could miss Man City's Premier League clash with Brentford

The Haaland family is grieving the loss of Ivar Eggja, a long-time family friend and confidant after he passed away at the age of 59. He played a vital role in Haaland’s career and personal life, offering both guidance and support during the striker’s meteoric rise to football stardom. Haaland, who affectionately referred to Eggja as ‘uncle’ is understandably devastated by the loss.

According to theDaily Mail, Haaland trained with the team on Thursday but could still miss the weekend’s clash if he chooses to take time off. Guardiola prioritises the player's emotional well-being and will grant him a "compassionate leave" if the striker puts in a request.

"It was a tough moment for him and his family," Guardiola said on Friday. "It was sad news for a close person of him and his family. Our thoughts are for them. It's sad and we will see tomorrow if he is able mentally and physically to play."

Eggja’s influence on Haaland cannot be understated. He was present for Haaland’s unveiling at the Etihad Stadium in 2022 and also accompanied the striker to prestigious events like the Ballon d'Or ceremony, where he was celebrated among the world’s footballing elite. After his demise, Haaland put out a social media post that read: "You are a legend, Ivar. Words cannot describe how much you meant to me! Words cannot describe how much you will be missed! I don't give a sh*t! I don't give a sh*t! That's exactly what I'm going to do. Thank you for everything, you madman. We will see each other again. Rest in peace, Ivar.”

Haaland has had a phenomenal start to the 2024-25 Premier League season, scoring seven goals in just three games. His back-to-back hat-tricks against Ipswich Town and West Ham United demonstrated his formidable form and reaffirmed his status as one of the most lethal forwards in world football. Now it remains to be seen if the Norwegian takes some time away from football to cope with a personal loss.