Erling Haaland Equals Drogba's International Goals Tally, Surpasses Ibrahimovic
Norwegian football sensation, Erling Haaland, has achieved a notable milestone in his international career. The Manchester City striker has surpassed Zlatan Ibrahimovic and equalled Didier Drogba's record with 65 goals for the Norwegian national team.
Haaland, who joined Manchester City in the summer, has been in impressive form since making the move. His latest achievement comes after scoring a brace against Serbia on Tuesday, October 12th, 2021.
Background on Haaland, Ibrahimovic, and Drogba
- Erling Haaland is a 22-year-old striker who has been on fire since breaking into the Norwegian national team.
- Zlatan Ibrahimovic, a former teammate of Haaland at Manchester City, retired from international football in 2016 and scored 62 goals for Sweden.
- Didier Drogba, a former Chelsea striker, scored 65 goals for the Ivory Coast national team before retiring in 2014.
The Milestone Moment
Haaland's brace against Serbia saw him surpass Ibrahimovic's record and tie Drogba's tally. With this achievement, Haaland has become the third-highest scorer for Norway, trailing only Kjetil Rekdal (81 goals) and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (71 goals).
Speaking about his achievement, Haaland said, "It feels amazing to tie Drogba's record and surpass Zlatan. I'm proud to be part of the Norwegian national team and I hope to continue scoring for them."
Norway's Young Star Shines
Haaland's incredible form has not gone unnoticed, with fans and pundits alike praising his talents. Norway's coach, Ståle Solbakken, expressed his delight over Haaland's performance, stating, "Erling Haaland has been in fantastic form, and his goals have been crucial for us in these matches."
Haaland's achievements have also caught the attention of former Chelsea striker, Didier Drogba, who commented on Haaland's success, saying, "Haaland is a great player with a bright future. It's impressive to see him tie my record and surpass Zlatan Ibrahimovic."
Norway's Ascent in World Football
Haaland's remarkable performance has significantly bolstered Norway's standing in world football. With 65 goals for the national team, Norway is showing signs of revitalization under Haaland's guidance.
Norway's recent successes have led to a rise in the team's FIFA ranking. As of October 2021, Norway's ranking has improved to 38, up from 59 in June 2021. Haaland's impact on the team has been instrumental in this improvement.
Norway's journey to the FIFA World Cup is now a real possibility, thanks to Haaland's prowess on the field.
The Norwegian football community is celebrating the achievement of their star player, with hopes of a brighter future for the national team.
<small>Source: Punch Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>