Haaland ends the season ahead of Mbappe as Europe’s top scorer

Erling Haaland was phenomenal in City's treble success last season

Haaland ends the season ahead of Mbappe as Europe’s top scorer

Ayoola Kelechi 23:39 - 20.06.2023

Erling Haaland ends a perfect 2022/23 season on top of all other goalscorers in Europe

Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has increased his standing as a possible Ballon d’Or winner after finishing the European season as the top scorer in all competitions for club and country. 

Haaland finishes as season’s top scorer

Haaland scored a brace for Norway to sink Cyprus in a hard-fought UEFA European Championships qualifier, and in doing so eclipsed Kylian Mbappe as the top scorer for the 2022/23 season in his last match this campaign. 

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The Norwegian strongman scored his 55th and 56th goals against Cyprus to beat Mbappe’s mark of 54 goals for club and country this season, reached after the Frenchman also scored during the international break against Gibraltar and Greece. 

Haaland has already won the European Golden Boot for the 2022/23 season after scoring a remarkable 36 goals in 35 matches in his debut season in England, smashing the record for the most goals in a Premier League season in the process. 

Haaland makes a strong Ballon d’Or claim

Haaland was also the top scorer in the UEFA Champions League, scoring 12 times in 11 games as Manchester City finally claimed success in Europe for the first time in their history under manager Pep Guardiola. 

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The 22-year-old forward scored a total of 52 goals in 53 appearances for treble-winning Manchester City and has also scored four goals in four appearances for Norway in the 2022/23 campaign, despite not playing in the 2022 FIFA World Cup. 

Haaland’s latest feat has certainly made him one of the front-runners for the end-of-season Ballon d’Or awards, alongside the likes of Mbappe, Argentine World Cup winner Lionel Messi, and teammate Rodri Hernandez. 

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