Miss you, pal’ – Erling Haaland sends emotional message as former Man City teammate retires

Erling Haaland has always been known for his ruthless goals, his cold eyes in front of the net, and the way he destroys defenders with every touch of the ball. But behind that sharp focus and wild determination, there is a softer side of him that very few people see. On a quiet Thursday evening, that side of him came out when the Norwegian striker took to social media to send an emotional message to one of his former Manchester City teammates who just announced his retirement. It was a simple message, just three words, but it carried a weight that only those who truly understand football brotherhood can feel. “Miss you, pal,” Haaland wrote. The message was directed to Scott Carson, the veteran goalkeeper who had finally decided to hang up his gloves after a long journey that spanned more than two decades.

The news hit differently across the blue half of Manchester. Scott Carson was not a player who regularly made the headlines. He was not the one lifting the Golden Glove or making saves that filled highlight reels on YouTube. In fact, over six years at Manchester City, he made only two appearances on the pitch. But those who knew football deeply, those who understood the rhythm and emotion that existed behind the locker room doors, knew that Scott Carson was more than just a backup goalkeeper. He was a mentor, a brother, a calm voice in the chaos, and a symbol of unity inside one of the most competitive dressing rooms in world football.

When Carson announced his retirement on October 23rd, his words came from the heart. He wrote that football had given him everything — memories, friendships, and moments he would never forget. He thanked every teammate, coach, fan, and club that had been part of his story. And the reactions came flooding in almost immediately. Not just from fans, but from the very stars who had shared trophies and laughs with him. Haaland’s message stood out because it was so simple yet so sincere. “Miss you, pal. All the best.” Kalvin Phillips followed with, “Legend Scotty, mate, it’s been a pleasure.” Manuel Akanji, another who had left City recently, also joined in saying, “Absolute legend! Miss you, mate.”

To the casual fan, it might seem strange that players like Haaland would be emotional about someone who rarely played. But for those inside the game, Carson was the quiet heartbeat behind the scenes. Every big win, every difficult loss, every pre-match tension — he was there, guiding, supporting, making jokes, keeping the squad balanced. In Pep Guardiola’s high-pressure world, where excellence is demanded every single day, players like Carson were invaluable. He didn’t need to play every week to make an impact; his presence alone was enough to lift spirits.

Over six years, Carson collected 12 trophies with Manchester City — Premier League titles, FA Cups, Carabao Cups, and that long-awaited Champions League medal. For some, it may look like luck, but those who truly watched City closely understood that he earned every bit of respect he got. Guardiola himself often mentioned the importance of experienced players in maintaining dressing room harmony. Carson represented that perfectly. He might not have been the man under the spotlight, but he was one of the men who helped hold the light steady for others.

For Haaland, who arrived at Manchester City with global fame and a mountain of expectations, Carson was one of the first teammates to help him settle. He wasn’t just another teammate; he was an older brother figure. During Haaland’s early days in Manchester, adapting to Guardiola’s complex system and life in England wasn’t easy. But Carson, who had been around English football since Haaland was a child, always had the right words. His calm voice, his humor, and his understanding of pressure made him the kind of figure every superstar needs in a locker room full of egos and expectations.

Carson’s retirement also marks another chapter closing in the story of Manchester City’s golden era. The club has changed massively in just one summer. Kevin De Bruyne left for Napoli in a shocking move that shook the fanbase. Kyle Walker joined Burnley in a surprising transfer that no one saw coming. Manuel Akanji, one of the most reliable defenders under Pep, also departed. It was as if the winds of change had blown across the Etihad. The team that once felt untouchable had entered a new phase of evolution.

For Haaland, this transition has been both emotional and challenging. The Norwegian striker has continued to score goals for fun — he always does — but there’s a different atmosphere now. The locker room that once felt like a family is now filled with new faces, new voices, and a fresh generation trying to make their mark. In that kind of environment, losing someone like Carson is not just losing a third-choice goalkeeper; it’s losing a piece of emotional history, a pillar of calmness that held everyone together when pressure felt like a mountain.

Scott Carson’s career was long and full of twists. From his early days at Leeds United to playing for Liverpool, Derby County, and eventually Manchester City, his journey was one of endurance and professionalism. He was never the flashiest goalkeeper, but he was always reliable, always respected. He represented a rare breed of footballers who understood that being part of something bigger — even from the background — was just as valuable as being the star on the pitch.

For Manchester City, his exit symbolizes a shift toward a new era. The goalkeeping department, once filled with Ederson and Carson, now faces a different kind of competition. With Gianluigi Donnarumma taking the number one spot and young James Trafford pushing for minutes, the goalkeeping battle at City has become one of the most talked-about in the Premier League.

Trafford, who returned to Manchester City after his time at Burnley, was expected to feature more prominently this season. But Donnarumma’s arrival has made that difficult. The Italian goalkeeper has been sensational since joining Pep’s team, making crucial saves and commanding the box like a veteran. Still, some fans believe Trafford’s time will come, and they also believe Carson played a big part in preparing him for that challenge. Even though Carson may have left, his influence will stay — in the way Trafford trains, the way he carries himself, and the way he stays patient despite the competition.

Carson was the kind of player every club needs but few truly appreciate. He was the guy who made everyone laugh in the gym, who offered advice to young players feeling lost, who kept things light when pressure was heavy. Haaland’s short but powerful message reflects how much that meant. Behind every superstar striker, there’s always someone like Carson — someone who makes the environment feel human again.

When Haaland wrote “Miss you, pal,” it wasn’t just a farewell to a teammate. It was a farewell to a man who had been part of his journey in Manchester, part of the unseen emotional engine that kept the club moving smoothly. The image of Haaland — a giant of goals — showing emotion for a goalkeeper who rarely played, was the perfect reminder that football isn’t only about what happens on the pitch. It’s about the relationships that form in the background, the friendships that grow quietly and last longer than any season.

Pep Guardiola himself has often spoken about Carson’s role. He once said, “Every team needs a Scott Carson. He’s the perfect teammate, the perfect professional.” That kind of praise, coming from a perfectionist like Pep, speaks volumes. The manager who built one of the most dominant teams in world football saw Carson as a crucial piece of his dressing room puzzle. While fans celebrate goals and trophies, Guardiola always knew the importance of the quiet voices that kept the team grounded.

The farewell messages from Haaland and others were emotional because they reflected something deeper than football. They reflected respect. Players like Haaland, Phillips, and Akanji might have come from different countries, different backgrounds, and different paths, but Carson connected them all. He understood the culture of the game, the pain of defeat, and the joy of small victories. He made everyone feel part of the same story.

As Carson leaves, Manchester City’s story continues. The team remains unbeaten in their last nine games, fighting to prove that even after a summer of major departures, they can still dominate. Haaland continues his mission to break Jamie Vardy’s Premier League scoring record, chasing every goal with the same hunger that made him famous. Yet moments like these remind everyone that football is not just about numbers. It’s about people. It’s about loyalty, emotion, and shared memories.

Scott Carson might not have been the one making headlines, but his retirement has reminded the football world that greatness isn’t only about minutes played or goals scored. Sometimes, it’s about how you make others feel, how you lift the team when no one is watching, and how you leave behind respect when you finally walk away.

For Haaland, who has already built his legend in just a few years, the message he left will stay as a sign of gratitude — a striker acknowledging the man who helped him behind the scenes. And for Carson, it’s the perfect ending to a long, loyal, and respected journey in football.

There will be no big farewell tour for him, no global tribute video trending across the internet, but in the hearts of those who shared a locker room with him, his name will always be remembered. The legend of Scott Carson will live not through highlight reels, but through the small, powerful memories he created with the people who mattered most.

At the Etihad, as the team prepares for their next game, there will be a quiet space in the training ground, a sense that something has changed. The laughter that once echoed from the veteran keeper might be missing, but his influence will remain. His gloves may be hung up for good, but his spirit will continue to guide those who wear the Manchester City badge.

And somewhere, as Erling Haaland steps onto the pitch again, chasing another record, another victory, he will remember the man who stood beside him in training, who made him laugh on difficult days, who showed him what being part of a team really means. “Miss you, pal,” Haaland said. Three small words, but behind them lies a lifetime of respect, gratitude, and friendship.

That’s what football is really about — not just the trophies or the statistics, but the bonds that outlast everything else