Just 21, Erling Haaland already looks like a complete centre-forward. He’s big, he’s fast, he’s deadly. The muscular 6’4” Norwegian can bully defenders one-on-one and just as easily explode past them with a burst of pace — his physical gifts, including his agility, are reminiscent of a young Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but he is more prolific in front of goal than the legendary Swede was at his age.
Haaland is the youngest player to reach the milestone of 20 Champions League goals. He has already scored an incredible 129 goals in 159 top-flight club appearances across Norway, Austria and Germany — the last 80 goals have come in just 82 appearances for Borussia Dortmund over three seasons, a scoring rate that places him among the elite. His influence at such a young age is as remarkable as it is obvious: when he was sidelined with a hip problem last November, Dortmund failed to qualify for the last 16 of the Champions League. The club also exited the Europa League last month when he was again out with a leg injury. “Haaland is the complete package, that has to be said. We need him,” said Dortmund captain Marco Reus.
