Concerns arose when Haaland gestured to the bench requesting to be substituted in the 67th minute during Norway’s 2-1 UEFA Nations League defeat against Portugal in Porto. Norway Head Coach Ståle Solbakken clarified that the forward was suffering from severe fatigue rather than a structural injury. Solbakken revealed that Haaland had originally been offered the option to start on the bench against Portugal to manage his workload, but the striker preferred to start. With limited off-season rest following a grueling summer schedule and five Premier League goals in five matches for City this season, the club and national setup agreed to give the forward a few days of vacation to recharge before returning to Premier League action.