Erling Haaland conceded a lack of hunger is behind Manchester City's failed Premier League title challenge this season.
The Norwegian added that his own personal performances have not been up to scratch despite scoring 30 goals across all competitions in a season that was stalled by an injury picked up in the win at Bournemouth in the FA Cup at the end of March.
Pep Guardiola's men can still lift silverware in the FA Cup final against Crystal Palace this month, but their run of four Premier League titles has come to an end, while they were knocked out of the Champions League in the play-off round by Real Madrid.
Speaking to ESPN, Haaland said that injuries β including to Ballon d'Or-winning midfielder Rodri β cannot be used as an excuse for not competing for the two biggest prizes this term.
He said: "Of course, you can find excuses, injuries, many injuries at bad times, but in the end we haven't been performing well enough.
"We haven't had fully the hunger inside of us. I haven't been good enough. I haven't helped the team enough. In the end, we haven't been good enough."
Haaland hurt his ankle in the victory over Bournemouth but has returned to training and was an unused substitute as City defeated Wolves 1-0 last time out.
The former Borussia Dortmund striker could feature against Southampton this weekend with an eye of building up his fitness for the Wembley showpiece with Palace on May 17.
"It was horrible to be injured, but what can you do?," Haaland added.
"You have to recover as quickly as you can and to come back as fit as you can. Now I'm back with loads of energy.
"I'm feeling good and moving good and I'm ready."
Gwinghltd
1
Haaland: Man City have lacked hunger this season. wrong Man CITY:Haaland have lacked hunger this season
ChelseaFC_Addict
0
One UCL and hunger is gone. Maybe you need to call Kroos, Modric, Carvajal, and Nacho for assistance in remaining hungry.
π€£π€£ππ
JPSTANCE
0
One UCL and hunger is gone. Maybe you need to call Kroos, Modric, Carvajal, and Nacho for assistance in remaining hungry.
Tiyabmnops
0
At least he includes himself in the useless once .
makenziefoster33
0
agreed
Sitbmprsz
0
Haaaa Mr one season wonder
do Liverpool even a striker? π
Kesadlor
1
it's called humble hunger
yutacilrst
1
waste Β£500k per week on Haaland π
Pumdkmprs
2
The CITIZENSπππππππππ
RODKAUNGA
0
Excuse me , Manchester Shitty lacked players who can play football , who can attack , who can score . You're one of the players who don't attack & kick the ball back to the player passing it to you . All if you just kick backwards run forward , then kick back again . You never attack, go forward , score goals. Your objectives are to keep possession , pass backwards , play in front of your own goalkeeper , play at a slow pace or walking pace . Your first option is always to go backwards. You're a bunch of lazy pathetic unfit players . All of you should leave the team .
Shut up
RODKAUNGA
0
Haaaa Mr one season wonder
Still better than your D Nunez ππ best misser of all time πππ
Bakabdpyz
1
Haaaa Mr one season wonder
you call someone who scores 30 more goals every season, a one season wonder. You must be joking.
Boocmstuy
0
bamadiloty
2
Haaaa Mr one season wonder
diebdlnpry
1
yeah we support you our heroe keep going πͺ
l wish even you score hattricks in your coming matches
umarsadeeq
4
come back stronger hero
Conradfvs
0
Excuse me , Manchester Shitty lacked players who can play football , who can attack , who can score . You're one of the players who don't attack & kick the ball back to the player passing it to you . All if you just kick backwards run forward , then kick back again . You never attack, go forward , score goals. Your objectives are to keep possession , pass backwards , play in front of your own goalkeeper , play at a slow pace or walking pace . Your first option is always to go backwards. You're a bunch of lazy pathetic unfit players . All of you should leave the team .
diebdlnpry
3
yeah we support you our heroe keep going πͺ
yiyciloty
1
yinmu
xhdici
RandyAogo
1
yinmu