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At just 25 years old, Erling Haaland has already cemented his place as one of football’s most prolific and dominant strikers. The Norwegian sensation, who celebrates his 25th birthday today, boasts a career trajectory marked by relentless goal-scoring, record-breaking feats, and a cabinet rapidly filling with major silverware for both club and country. From his early days in Norway to his meteoric rise at Borussia Dortmund and his current reign at Manchester City, Haaland’s journey is a testament to his unparalleled talent and insatiable hunger for goals.
His remarkable achievements at such a young age underscore his status as a generational talent, consistently outperforming many of his peers and even footballing legends at similar points in their careers.
The Early Chapters: Bryne, Molde, and Salzburg
Haaland’s footballing journey began in his hometown of Bryne, Norway, where he joined the local club’s academy at the age of five. He made his senior debut for Bryne FK before his 16th birthday. His raw talent quickly became evident, leading to a move to Molde FK in 2017, where he played under Ole Gunnar Solskjær. He ended the 2018 season as Molde’s top scorer, netting 12 goals in 25 league games.
His explosive potential truly came to the fore at Red Bull Salzburg, whom he joined in January 2019. It was in Austria that Haaland announced himself to the European stage, particularly with his sensational performances in the UEFA Champions League. In just 12 months, he plundered 29 goals in 27 matches for Salzburg, including a hat-trick on his Champions League debut. This prolific spell made him one of the most sought-after young strikers in the world.
Borussia Dortmund: The Bundesliga Goal Machine
In January 2020, Haaland made the move to German Bundesliga powerhouse Borussia Dortmund for a fee of just under £20 million. Despite the step up in competition, his goal-scoring rate showed no signs of slowing down. For Dortmund, he continued his staggering feat of averaging virtually a goal a game, netting 86 goals in just 89 appearances across all competitions.
During his two-and-a-half seasons with the Black and Yellows, Haaland:
- Won the DFB-Pokal in 2021.
- Finished as the Champions League top scorer in the 2020/21 season.
- Was named the Bundesliga Player of the Season in 2020/21.
- Became the youngest and quickest player to reach 50 Bundesliga goals.
His time at Dortmund solidified his reputation as a generational striker, capable of scoring a diverse range of goals with both feet and his head, and showcasing incredible pace and power.
Manchester City: Premier League Dominance and Treble Glory
In July 2022, Erling Haaland made his highly anticipated move to Manchester City for €60 million (£51.2 million). His debut season at the Etihad was nothing short of historic, as he played a pivotal role in City’s unprecedented continental treble (Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League).
Since joining Manchester City, Haaland has continued his relentless goal-scoring, accumulating 124 goals in 146 appearances across all competitions as of July 2025. His achievements with City include:
- Premier League Champion (2022/23, 2023/24): Winning back-to-back Premier League titles.
- FA Cup Winner (2022/23): Contributing to domestic cup success.
- Champions League Winner (2022/23): The crowning achievement of his debut season.
- UEFA Super Cup Winner (2023/24): Adding European silverware.
- FIFA Club World Cup Winner (2023): Conquering the global club stage.
- Premier League Golden Boot (2022/23, 2023/24): Winning the league’s top scorer award in his first two seasons. He broke the record for most goals scored in a single Premier League season with 36 in 2022/23.
- European Golden Shoe (2022/23): Recognizing him as Europe’s top league scorer.
- UEFA Men’s Player of the Year (2023): Acknowledging his individual brilliance.
- IFFHS World’s Best Player (2023): Further global recognition.
Haaland has also broken numerous individual Premier League records, including the quickest to score multiple hat-tricks and the first to score hat-tricks in three consecutive home matches. His ability to adapt to Pep Guardiola’s system and consistently deliver in high-pressure moments has made him an indispensable asset for Manchester City.
International Impact: Leading Norway’s Attack
On the international stage, Erling Haaland has been equally impactful for the Norway national team. Since making his senior debut in September 2019, he has become the nation’s all-time top goalscorer, netting an impressive 42 goals in 43 international appearances.
His contributions for Norway include:
- Winning the UEFA Nations League’s top scorer award twice.
- Scoring a record nine goals in a single match at the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup, where he won the Golden Boot.
Haaland’s leadership and prolific scoring have been crucial for Norway as they aim to qualify for major international tournaments.
A Legacy in the Making
At just 25, Erling Haaland’s career achievements are already staggering. His relentless pursuit of goals, combined with his physical prowess and tactical intelligence, has set new benchmarks in modern football. As he continues his journey with Manchester City and the Norway national team, the football world eagerly anticipates how many more records he will break and how many more trophies he will lift. His story is far from over, and the next decade promises to be just as captivating as his first five years in professional football.
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