Erling Haaland just gave the world yet another jaw-dropping moment. In Manchester City’s emphatic 5-0 win over Sparta Prague, Haaland netted what could easily be called an early contender for Goal of the Season—a backheel volley that had fans and pundits alike in disbelief. Even his manager, Pep Guardiola, couldn’t help but label the goal as something “not human.”
A day after Vinicius Junior’s impressive hat trick for Real Madrid, Haaland reminded everyone why he’s a force to be reckoned with in the race for the Ballon d’Or. While Vinicius is the current favorite for soccer’s most prestigious award, Haaland’s spectacular performance in the Champions League, including his two goals on the night, may have shifted the conversation.
A Moment of Brilliance
The standout moment came in the 58th minute, with Haaland delivering a goal that left spectators at the Etihad Stadium speechless. Positioned around six meters from goal, with his back to the net, Haaland pulled off an acrobatic leap, meeting a cross from Savinho with the back of his foot. The ball rocketed off his heel, hit the ground, and bounced sharply into the top corner—completely out of reach for Sparta Prague’s goalkeeper, Peter Vindahl.
City midfielder Phil Foden was in awe, jokingly saying, “If I tried that, I’d probably pull my groin! He’s a freak, isn’t he?” And he wasn’t alone in his amazement. Guardiola, not one to easily dole out praise, compared the forward to another acrobatic great, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, adding, “It’s unbelievable, this talent.”
Breaking Records, Making History
Haaland’s first goal of the night was dazzling enough, but his second, in the 68th minute, secured his tally at 13 goals in just 12 games across all competitions this season. In the Champions League alone, his record now stands at an astonishing 44 goals in 42 matches. With numbers like these, it’s no wonder Haaland continues to rise quickly in the rankings of all-time top scorers in European club football.
While Cristiano Ronaldo still reigns supreme with 141 Champions League goals, and Lionel Messi follows with 129, Haaland is already 17th on the list and climbing fast.
The Ballon d’Or Race
Despite his remarkable run, Haaland is expected to narrowly miss out on the 2024 Ballon d’Or, with Vinicius Junior widely seen as the frontrunner. However, with performances like this, Haaland has cemented his place as a contender for years to come. As Messi and Ronaldo’s reign over the Ballon d’Or appears to be closing, a new era is dawning—one led by the likes of Haaland, Vinicius, and Kylian Mbappe.
One thing is for sure: Haaland’s outrageous skill and relentless goal-scoring make him a generational talent, and if his current form is anything to go by, his name will be a fixture in the Ballon d’Or conversation for years to come.
