Erling Haaland is a striker who currently plays for Manchester City in the Premier League and the Norwegian national team. He is widely regarded as one of the best young players in the world, known for his incredible speed, power, and finishing. Haaland’s soccer career started when he was very young, and his journey to becoming a professional soccer player is an amazing one.
Early Life and Childhood
Haaland was born in Leeds while his father, Alf Inge Haaland, played for the city’s club. Then, at age of three, he and his family moved to their hometown in Bryne, Norway.
There, he began playing for the local club, Bryne, where his father coached. Haaland honed his skills and passion, eventually making his professional debut at 15. While goals were initially scarce, his potential shone through, leading to a transfer to Molde.
Molde Youth Academy
In 2017, 16-year-old Haaland joined a top Norwegian club Molde under the guidance of legendary Manchester United figure, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. He quickly found his scoring touch, netting his first goals in the Norwegian Cup and the league.
The 2018 season was his true breakout year. Haaland exploded with 16 goals in 30 matches, earning him the Eliteserien Breakthrough of the Year award. This achievement ignited interest from European giants like his father’s former club, Leeds United, and powerhouses like Real Madrid and Manchester City.
However, Haaland decided to sign a five-year contract with Red Bull Salzburg, the Austrian champions, seeking a platform to develop and compete in the UEFA Champions League.
Professional Debut
At 18, Haaland immediately proved his talent and quality in his professional debut for Red Bull Salzburg.
His debut season was phenomenal, with hat-tricks in his first Austrian Cup, Bundesliga, and Champions League appearances. He became the second teenager ever to achieve this feat in the Champions League. His prolific scoring continued, securing him the Austrian Bundesliga and Austrian Cup titles with Salzburg.
Joining Dortmund
In December 2019, Borussia Dortmund secured Haaland’s signature. He made his debut for Dortmund in January 2020 and continued his scoring spree, notching a hat-trick off the bench in his Bundesliga debut. He then scored two more goals in his next match, and became the first player in history to score five goals in his first two Bundesliga matches.
Haaland ended the season with a remarkable 16 goals in 18 appearances, adding 10 Champions League goals across Salzburg and Dortmund. His phenomenal form earned him the Golden Boy award for Europe’s best young player and the Bundesliga Player of the Month award for January 2020.
The 2020/21 season saw Haaland reach new heights. He netted an incredible 41 goals in 41 games across all competitions, helping Dortmund win the DFB-Pokal. His talent shone in the Champions League as well, making him the youngest player to reach 20 goals in the competition. During this season, Haaland won the Bundesliga Player of the Month award three times, and also the UEFA Champions League Forward of the Season award.
In 2022, Haaland joined Manchester City for a record-breaking fee. He seamlessly integrated into the team, playing a key role in their historic Treble win. He smashed the Premier League record with 36 goals, claiming every major individual domestic award, including the FWA Footballer of the Year and the Premier League Player of the Season. His Champions League form remained exceptional, scoring in every match and contributing to City’s first-ever Champions League title.
International Career
Haaland has also made his mark on the international stage. He gained international attention in 2019 by scoring a record-breaking nine goals in a single U20 World Cup match against Honduras. He debuted for Norway’s senior team later that year and has consistently found the net, showcasing his talent and immense potential.
Though an injury prevented him from leading Norway to the 2022 World Cup, Haaland’s remarkable achievements at such a young age solidify his status as one of the world’s best players. He has the potential to become a true legend of the game.
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