Erling Haaland’s ex-teammate and Gabriel’s wife reveal how they really feel about each other before World Cup showdown

Erling Haaland and Gabriel Magalhaes renew their rivalry on Sunday in what promises to be a heavyweight affair fitting to headline Madison Square Garden.

Manchester City striker Haaland and Arsenal centre-back Gabriel have battled for the Premier League title in three out of the last four seasons.

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And it’s safe to say there is no love lost between the two whenever they come up against each other on the pitch.

The duo will once again write another chapter in their rivalry when Brazil and Norway meet at the MetLife Stadium for a place in the World Cup quarter-finals.

Haaland has been one of the standout players at the World Cup so far – chipping in with five goals and one assist from his three outings in North America.

As for Gabriel, he has started in each of Brazil’s four matches – keeping two clean sheets while supplying a crucial assist in the Selecao’s comeback win over Japan in the round of 32.

Walk on the wild side

One player that has seen the rivalry first hand is ex-City right-back Kyle Walker, who appeared on the World Cup GameDay Live to discuss the feud between the pair.

He said: “I think it’s good as long as it don’t overstep the mark and doesn’t spoil the game.

“I think that centre-halves and centre-forwards should have a little bit of a battle together.”

When pressed on whether Haaland dislikes Gabriel, the striker’s former teammate Walker then remarked: “I think he respects him, I think he respects him as a player because he’s a very good player.

“And I think he’s come on leaps and bounds in the last couple of seasons at Arsenal.

“But, obviously, Gabriel’s doing something right to get underneath Haaland’s skin.

“And as defenders, that’s what you want to do to your centre-forwards.”

Despite the animosity between the duo, Gabriel’s wife Gabrielle Figueiredo told talkSPORT in 2025 how the Gunners star relishes the prospect of pitting his wits against the ex-Borussia Dortmund marksman.

When asked whether Gabriel moans about Haaland at home, she replied: “No. I think he’s just always excited to play against whoever.”

With that in mind, talkSPORT.com takes you through how the rivalry – the Premier League’s biggest since the days of Roy Keane vs Patrick Vieira – first began.

March 31, 2024 – Man City 0-0 Arsenal

Both clubs were engaged in a Premier League title battle alongside Liverpool at the time, with City left frustrated by Arsenal’s defensive-minded tactics.

Following the conclusion of the goalless draw, tempers threatened to boil over when Gabriel and Haaland engaged in heated words.

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It led to Pep Guardiola entering the pitch to separate the pair, with both players eventually shaking hands and walking away.

September 22, 2024 – Man City 2-2 Arsenal

In what is the only game which has seen both Haaland and Gabriel get on the score sheet, fans were treated to a four-goal thriller at the Etihad.

It was Haaland who opened the scoring, before Riccardo Calafiori and Gabriel found the back of the net to send ten-man Arsenal into the lead heading into the break.

What followed was anti-football from Arsenal of the highest degree, putting every man behind the ball and refusing to go forward in their effort to claim a first win away at City since January 2015.

But Arsenal’s resilience was finally broken when John Stones equalised in the eighth minute of second half stoppage time.

Carnage ultimately ensued, as Haaland picked up the ball and threw it off the back of Gabriel’s head – sparking an immediate mass brawl with players also clashing after the full-time whistle.

Gabriel also squared up to Haaland after the centre-forward clattered into Thomas Partey following the restart.

Haaland also proceeded to rile up Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta – telling the Spaniard to ‘stay humble’.

He also raged at Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus, branding the Brazilian as a ‘f****** clown’.

While he also took aim at Hale End graduate Myles Lewis-Skelly, asking him, ‘who the f*** are you?’

In the aftermath of the ball throw, Haaland then refused to apologise to Gabriel, as he said: “I don’t regret much in life.

“It was in the heat of the moment and a lot of stuff happened in that game.

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“Things that happen on the football pitch stay there and that’s how it is.”

February 2, 2025 – Arsenal 5-1 Man City

All eyes were on the reverse fixture at the Emirates months later, with Gabriel vowing revenge – insisting Arsenal were ‘waiting’ for City.

And boy, did they get it…

Arsenal recorded their biggest win over City since October 2000, while inflicting the Citizens’ heaviest Premier League defeat on the road in eight years.

Martin Odegaard broke the deadlock after just two minutes, with Gabriel instantly turning towards Haaland – screaming in his face during his animated celebration.

Haaland then equalised in the second half, but it was all in vain, with it then Lewis-Skelly’s turn to mock the former Red Bull Salzburg striker.

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After scoring Arsenal’s third of the game – in what remains his only senior goal – the youngster proceeded to copy Haaland’s celebration by sitting on the pitch with his eyes closed in a meditation pose.

April 19, 2026 – Man City 2-1 Arsenal

In what was a pivotal match in the Premier League title race, Haaland scored a 65th minute winner to hand City the advantage with six games to go.

The victory came just one month after City beat Arsenal 2-0 in the Carabao Cup final, with the loss at the Etihad threatening to derail the Gunners’ season.

Things came to a head – quite literally – in the 83rd minute when Gabriel appeared to headbutt Haaland.

But for once, Gabriel had Haaland to thank, as the 2023 Champions League winner refused to hit the deck, with the defender brandished only a yellow card.

Haaland said of the incident: “I think it’s a red card, I think most agree with me. If I go down like any other guy, it’s a red card.

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“It’s not something I would do, my father taught me to stay on your feet.

“That’s the reality. Should I have gone down? Maybe. Then it would’ve been easier. But I didn’t.”

But Haaland made sure to revel in City’s win, as he belted out the lyrics to Flo Rida’s hit 2011 song ‘Good Feeling’ into the camera, before celebrating with the fans.

May 25, 2026 – Arsenal lift Premier League title

Following Arsenal’s defeat at the Etihad, they won their remaining five fixtures to end their 22-year wait for Premier League glory.

In the end, the north London giants pipped City to the title by seven points after Guardiola’s side drew two and lost one of their final six matches.

And one day after Gabriel got his hands on the trophy at Selhurst Park, he took to social media to poke fun at Haaland.

In a TikTok, the 28-year-old shared an image of himself with his winner’s medal draped around his neck while lifting the title – with Flo Rida’s ‘Good Feeling’ playing in the background.

May 30, 2026 – Arsenal lose in Champions League final

Haaland didn’t have long to wait to fire a subtle dig aimed at Gabriel – and Arsenal.

Just six days after lifting the title, Arsenal lost on penalties to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final.

It was Gabriel who missed the deciding spot-kick – blazing his effort from 12 yards high over the bar.

Just moments after Gabriel was left with his head in his hands, Haaland uploaded a selfie of him smiling alongside his friends.

The duo now prepare to meet for the first time on the international stage.

Though bragging rights will only be on offer for five weeks, with Arsenal and City to meet in the Community Shield in Cardiff on August 16.