Football fans have slammed Erling Haaland following a social media post criticising his followers for not using a sauna.
Haaland is back fit for Manchester City after missing their defeat by Liverpool with a minor issue, scoring the winner in the 1-0 victory over Tottenham in midweek to help keep up his side’s Champions League push.
He is the second top scorer in the Premier League this season, with his strike against Spurs his 20th in the top division this term, taking him clear of Newcastle’s Alexander Isak.
His fitness will be imperative for City’s run-in, with Pep Guardiola’s side only having the league and FA Cup left to play for in what has been a disappointing campaign that could yet see them miss out on Champions League qualification.
One way the forward helps himself prepare for games appears to be by using a sauna, sharing regular snaps of himself sat sweaty in a chamber as he engulfs the heat.
His most recent post, however, left fans fuming as he suggested they weren’t using a sauna ‘because they are lazy’ – which triggered backlash on social media.
Erling Haaland had been branded ‘tone-deaf’ following an Instagram post on Thursday evening
The forward was seen sat sweating in a sauna and suggested those who don’t go are ‘lazy’
Fans pointed out on social media that accessing a sauna is not as easy as a player on the money that Haaland earns
Posting to his 38.3million Instagram followers on Thursday, Haaland was seen shirtless, hair slicked back and covered in sweat as he sat in a sauna.
Staring down the camera, he accompanied the picture with the caption: ‘Have you been in the sauna today? If not what’s your excuse? Deep down too lazy?’
Haaland, who is though to earn around £865,000 a week on his current deal, was slammed by fans in response, with one writing on X: ‘Such an arrogant and tone deaf tweet. Not everyone’s earning a million a week.’
Another wrote: ‘Maybe we are not a guy whose life is £500k per week for running after a ball and relax in my private sauna for the whole day doing nothing.’
A third added: ‘Yeah most people don’t have £3-5k to casually throw at getting a sauna. And we were acting like Mbappe was a snob… couldn’t be more wrong.’
For those looking to get a sauna installed in their homes, prices range from around £2,500 to £8,500 for the work to be carried out.
It is also suggested that travelling to a sauna for a session costs roughly £30 per person for 90 minutes.
Relaxing in a sauna has been linked to a number of health benefits, including stress reduction, pain relief, improved circulation and cardiovascular health.
The forward is the second top scorer in the Premier League with 20 goals so far this term
A sauna can cost around £8,500 to have installed in a home and £30 for a 90-minute session
That didn’t stop fans tearing into Haaland, however, with one writing: ‘I work a 9-5 Erling and am knackered by the time I get home, I also don’t earn a million quid a week.’
Another added: ‘Sorry mate not everyone can afford to have their own sauna.’
Haaland’s City will take on Plymouth in the FA Cup this weekend as they look to live up to their tag of favourites to win the competition – despite their tough season – with the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal already knocked out.
Still, the Championship side will be up for the test after being the team to knock Liverpool out in the last round.