Erling Haaland has been criticised by the wife of Fluminense midfielder Paulo Henrique Ganso, who alleged the Man City forward ignored a group of children in Saudi Arabia.
Haaland is with the Man City squad at the Club World Cup, with the Treble winners set to face South American champions Fluminense in the final on Friday.
The Norwegian striker will not feature in the final as he recovers from injury, but has been targeted by the wives of the Brazilian team for criticism.
Giovanna Costi, the wife of Ganso, claimed Haaland had ignored her son Henrique and a group of children at a shopping centre.
She claimed Haaland had pretended the children ‘didn’t exist’ and accused the forward of ‘horrible behaviour.
The wife of Brazilian midfielder Ganso claimed Erling Haaland ignored a group of his fans
Karina Xavier, the wife of defender Samuel Xavier, posted a video of the star on Instagram
‘It was horrible. Henrico is horrified! He was a fan! He doesn’t even want to mention his name now,’ Costi wrote on Instagram, as per Brazilian outlet Globo Esportes.
‘There were only 6 children, they couldn’t get close, he didn’t even say goodbye from afar. He pretended they didn’t exist.
‘The children were very sad! What’s the chance of meeting an idol like that? In the street.
‘There was no-one there, empty. It wouldn’t have taken more than five seconds!
‘Anyway. Even in pain, you learn, right? I’m sure these children will take something good from today.’
Costi also shared an Instagram video from Karina Xavier, the wife of defender Samuel Xavier.
Xavier claimed the star had let down his ‘super fans’.
Haaland has remained with the Man City squad in Saudi Arabia despite his foot injury
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‘I’m still not over the fact that Haaland didn’t say ‘hi’ to the kids who are super fans of his, he didn’t even look at them,’ Xavier wrote.
A clip was also shared on social media of Haaland walking in the shopping centre, allegedly after the incident with a group of children seeing running behind the star.
Haaland, who has not responded to the criticism, has remained with the Man City squad in Saudi Arabia despite failing to recover from a foot problem to feature in the tournament.
City removed the Norwegian from their roster shortly before their semi-final match against the Japanese side Urawa Red Diamonds.
Haaland has shared a photo of him on the training pitch in Saudi Arabia as he continues his recovery.
