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Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has broken Kylian Mbappe's record for the youngest player to score 37 goals in the UEFA Champions League.
The Norway international achieved this feat after he bagged a brace in the Cityzens' 3-1 win against Young Boys yesterday (October 25). With the game level at 1-1, Haaland netted his first from the spot in the 67th minute after which he finished with his right foot four minutes from time.
The former Borussia Dortmund number nine was 23 years and 96 days after scoring his 37th goal compared to Mbappe, who was 23 years and 295 days.
Haaland has become a force to reckon with ever since his move to the Premier League champions. He's bagged 63 goals in 67 appearances across all competitions while managing to score 14 Champions League goals in as many appearances for the Manchester side.
In this campaign, the attacker has nine goals in nine Premier League matches while managing his first couple in the Champions League against Young Boys. Following this win, Manchester City are placed top of Group G with nine points, three ahead of second-placed RB Leipzig after three matches.
Haaland will now ready himself for the Ballon d'Or ceremony, where he is considered a favorite alongside Lionel Messi to win the award this year.
ESPN pundit claims Erling Haaland should win Ballon d'Or
ESPN pundit Craig Burley has urged Manchester City star Erling Haaland to never return to the Ballon d'Or award ceremony should he not claim the title this year. The 23-year-old striker managed to win the treble with the Cityzens last season, bagging 52 goals in the process.
Considered to be the other favorite, Lionel Messi led Argentina to World Cup success in Qatar last year. Claiming that Haaland must win the award over Messi, Burley said in September (via Manchester City News):
"If Erling Haaland doesn’t win the Ballon d’Or, close the shop! Lionel Messi has won the World Cup and it’s a great achievement, but it’s a four-week period. His overall championship form wasn’t the best.
"If I was Erling Haaland, I would never go back to a Ballon d’Or ceremony in my life if he didn’t win it this year."
It's hard to look past the Norwegian centre-forward following his incredible debut season with Manchester City. The decision on who takes home the honors will be announced on October 30.
