Manchester City’s Norwegian striker Erling Haaland played a pivotal role in the Citizens’ ‘treble’ victory during the 2022/23 season. Haaland netted 52 goals in 53 matches across all competitions on the path to securing triumphs in the English Premier League, UEFA Champions League, and FA Cup last year. As a result, the Norwegian talent was named the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) Player of the Year in England.
Throughout the previous season, Erling Haaland’s contributions to the national team were limited, but his performance for the club was remarkably triumphant. He amassed 52 goals as part of Manchester City’s treble-winning campaign. Notably, he achieved an unprecedented feat of scoring 36 goals in the English Premier League, marking the highest individual tally in the league’s history. Additionally, he clinched the title of the top scorer in the Champions League for the same period.
On Tuesday, August 29, the prolific scorer from Man City was nominated for the prestigious PFA award.
The Player of the Year awards for both Men’s and Women’s Football by the PFA have been presented since the 1973–74 season. Rachel Daly, the striker for England and Aston Villa, was honored as the Women’s Player of the Year. Alongside her, Chelsea star Lauren James secured the Women’s Young Player of the Year accolade.
Haaland outshone fellow Man City teammates Kevin de Bruyne and John Stones, Arsenal’s Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka, and former and current Tottenham Hotspur star Harry Kane, now with Bayern Munich, to clinch the Men’s Football Player of the Year award.
Upon receiving the award, Haaland shared his sentiments, stating, “It’s a great honor for me to secure this recognition.” He expressed his appreciation for being acknowledged by competitors and extended gratitude to everyone who cast their votes in his favor. He described the season as a memorable one, both on an individual level and as a collective team effort, admitting he never anticipated achieving the treble.
In addition to these accomplishments, Haaland has also been nominated for the 2023 Ballon d’Or and the UEFA Best Player of 2023 awards.