Haaland posts with Khabib as fans spot City motivational message amid title chase

According to Goal, Erling Haaland shared an Instagram picture with UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov that simply read "Mentality", and Manchester City supporters noticed a longer motivational message in the background as the club chases Premier League leaders Arsenal; City went into the midweek fixtures six points behind the Gunners.

City have struggled to start 2026, drawing with Sunderland and Chelsea and losing ground in the title race, and were held to a 1-1 draw by Brighton at the Etihad in midweek, in which Haaland scored his 20th league goal of the season. The message visible behind Haaland and Khabib read: "The pressure.

The chase. The difficulties. We've been here before, pushed to the absolute limit and still taking everything. That has always been our spirit. We don't fold. We don't panic. We don't quit. We adapt. We respond. We turn setbacks into solutions. We change situations, because that's what we do.

Key Topics

Sports, Erling Haaland, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Manchester City, Arsenal, Premier League