October 30, (THEWILL) – Norwegian striker, Erling Haaland, has been awarded the prestigious Gerd Muller Trophy during the star-studded Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris, capping off an incredible debut season with English Premier League champions, Manchester City.
The 23-year-old goal machine netted a jaw-dropping 36 league goals for City during the 2022/2023 campaign, leading the club to domestic glory with the league title, as well as victories in the UEFA Champions League and FA Cup. Across all competitions, Haaland found the back of the net 52 times in a truly remarkable individual season.
The Gerd Muller Trophy, named after the legendary Bayern Munich and West Germany, striker, is awarded annually to the top goalscorer based on performances for both club and country. In the award’s first two years, it was known as Striker of the Year and went to Robert Lewandowski, but Haaland now takes over the crown.
Haaland’s arrival at the Etihad was a game-changer for Pep Guardiola’s City side. His torrent of goals made City strong favourites for the league title early on and he delivered crucial strikes as they eventually overhauled Arsenal to finish top.
With his meteoric rise showing no signs of slowing down, the Norwegian has also been billed as the biggest challenger to Lionel Messi for the coveted Ballon d’Or itself. Kylian Mbappe and Harry Kane rounded out the top three for the Gerd Muller Trophy.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
