Erling Haaland at 26: Ranking his five best career goals so far

Erling Haaland turned 26 on Wednesday, and Manchester City’s record-breaking striker marked the milestone by reminding the world why he’s the most feared finisher of his generation.

The Norwegian has rewritten goalscoring record books in Germany, England and Europe since bursting onto the scene as a teenager. His mix of pace, power and predatory instincts has terrorised defences from Romania to Paris Saint-Germain, from Schalke to Southampton.

Here are the five goals that best capture Haaland’s breathtaking career so far.

Which goal tops Haaland’s five best?

Haaland’s bicycle kick against Southampton in April 2023 sits at number three on our list: but it’s the one that made Pep Guardiola compare him to Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

Jack Grealish’s looping cross found Haaland eight yards out. With a left-footed overhead kick, he sent the ball arrowing into the bottom corner. It was his 30th Premier League goal of the season.

The strike came in the 68th minute of a 4-1 win at St Mary’s. Haaland’s athleticism and timing turned a routine cross into a moment of pure magic.

What made his PSG thunderbolt so special?

Haaland’s second goal against Paris Saint-Germain in February 2020 was his Champions League debut for Borussia Dortmund: and it announced him to the world.

Two minutes after Neymar equalised, Haaland received a quick pass from Gio Reyna 20 yards out. He took one touch, then unleashed a ferocious left-footed rocket past Keylor Navas.

The shot flew into the top corner before Navas could react. Dortmund won 2-1. Haaland was 19 years old.

Why did his Schalke volley make the top five?

Haaland’s acrobatic goal against Schalke in November 2020 was a masterclass in technique and timing.

With Dortmund leading 3-0 in the Revierderby, Haaland met a cross with a first-time volley. The ball dipped and swerved into the net, leaving Schalke’s defence rooted to the spot.

The finish capped a dominant display. It was his fifth goal in four Bundesliga games that season.

What happened in Haaland’s Nations League hat-trick?

Haaland’s driven effort against Romania in October 2020 was his sixth goal for Norway: and part of a perfect hat-trick.

Alexander Sorloth played him in. Haaland held off two centre-backs before firing past Ciprian Tatarusanu from inside the area.

The goal completed a 4-0 Nations League win. It was brutal efficiency from a player who treats goals as routine.

How did Haaland round out his top five?

Haaland’s driven strike against Romania sits fifth: but his career is packed with moments like these.

From acrobatic volleys to thunderous long-range strikes, he’s redefined what it means to be a modern centre-forward. At 26, he’s already rewritten record books: and he’s just getting started.

His goals aren’t just numbers. They’re moments that leave fans and rivals alike staring in disbelief.