A heartwarming moment outside the Etihad Stadium quickly turned sour after Manchester City midfielder James McAtee made a sudden U-turn on his decision to give his match shirt to a young fan.
The incident occurred after City’s 3-1 victory over Club Brugge in the Champions League on Wednesday night, leaving one boy’s birthday ruined.
The Disappointment of a Birthday Surprise
After the game, excited fans gathered outside the stadium, hoping to catch a glimpse of the players. Among them was Oaklan, a 10-year-old City fan who had spent the night proudly wearing his team’s gear.
When McAtee rolled down his window and held up his match shirt, he pointed to Oaklan and told a steward to hand the shirt over to the young fan.
However, things took an unexpected turn moments later.
McAtee, noticing Oaklan was wearing a coat with the badge of Sheffield Wednesday, City’s local rivals, changed his mind.
He suddenly declared, “Oh no, he’s got a Sheffield Wednesday top on.
I hate Sheffield Wednesday,” and drove off, leaving the boy empty-handed.
The boy’s mother, Chantelle Howard, took to social media to express her outrage.
Mother Slams McAtee’s Actions on Social Media
Chantelle shared her disappointment on Facebook, calling out McAtee for ruining her son’s special day.
“Imagine travelling all that way, braving the freezing cold after watching a Champions League game, just for your little football-mad 10-year-old to have his birthday night ruined,” she wrote.
She emphasized how much Oaklan had looked forward to the moment, having spent his birthday money in the City shop earlier that evening.
“James McAtee had the chance to make a birthday unforgettable,” Chantelle said.
“He handed out his shirt, and you should have seen the pure joy on the kids’ faces! But then, when it came to Oaklan, he changed his mind… all because of a Sheffield Wednesday badge on his coat.”
The Bigger Picture: What Fans Expect from Football Heroes
Chantelle pointed out that young fans look up to their idols, regardless of whether they support local teams or global giants like Manchester City.
“Not everyone can get to the Etihad every week, but that doesn’t make them any less of a fan.
Moments like these shape how young supporters see the game – and their heroes.
It’s a shame when football forgets what really matters.”
The incident has left a sour taste for many, as it was a chance for McAtee to inspire a young fan and show the power of sportsmanship, but it ended up doing the opposite.
McAtee’s Future with Manchester City
Meanwhile, McAtee’s future at City seems uncertain.
The young talent, who returned to Manchester after two successful loan seasons at Sheffield United, has been a target for Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen.
The German club sees McAtee as a key player to replace the injured Martin Terrier, and coach Xabi Alonso is reportedly an admirer of McAtee’s potential.
Despite interest from several Premier League clubs, McAtee has struggled to secure regular starting opportunities at City.
With limited game time on the horizon, Leverkusen appears to be the front-runner in securing a deal for the 22-year-old.
City’s manager, Pep Guardiola, has expressed a desire for McAtee to stay, but the club’s recent signing of Omar Marmoush and McAtee’s lack of playing time suggest his future may lie elsewhere.
As McAtee’s career continues to evolve, it’s clear that his actions off the pitch are just as impactful as his performances on it.
Fans will be hoping for better moments of connection in the future, especially after seeing how one small interaction can leave a lasting impression.
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