‘Man of His Words’: Erling Haaland Mimics Didier Drogba’s Goal Celebration After UCL Goal Against Young Boys – News18

Erling Haaland was proved to be a “man of his word” after the Manchester City star imitated Didier Drogba’s iconic celebration following a Champions League goal against Young Boys on Wednesday at the Etihad Stadium.

Drogba recently met Haaland at the Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris where the Norweigan youngster was present to collect the Gerd Muller trophy for becoming the best striker in Europe last season. After presenting the coveted accolade to Haaland, the Chelsea legend asked him to celebrate like him or former English striker Gary Lineker.

Follow all the action from the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 including the World Cup schedule, World Cup 2023 results, and ICC Cricket World Cup points table. Players are vying to top the World Cup 2023 Most Runs and World Cup 2023 Most Wickets charts.

Haaland replied with a hearty smile and asked Drogba to wait until he scored his next goal. “We’ll see the next goal. I celebrate in the moment, so I’ll think of both of you when I score my next goal and then I will decide,” Haaland said.

The moment finally came during Manchester City’s home fixture against Young Boys. Haaland was the star of the night for the hosts. The 23-year-old broke the deadlock in the 23rd minute by converting a penalty. After the ball struck the net, Haaland burst into the iconic celebration of Drogba, who spent more than eight years of his illustrious career in the Premier League and netted as many as 104 goals.

After Haaland fulfilled his promise to Didier Drogba, the Ivorian international took to Instagram, dropping a clip of the goal and the celebration. “Erling Haaland, Man of your Words,” Drogba wrote in the caption.

After scoring the early goal, there was no stopping for Erling Haaland. Moments before the referee would blow the first-half whistle, Phil Foden increased the lead for Manchester City. In the 51st minute, Haaland put the final nail in Young Boys’ coffin as he completed his brace with a rocket-like strike.

ALSO READ| AIFF Secretary General Shaji Prabhakaran Sacked Due To ‘Trust Deficit’

With the finish, Haaland took his tally of goals in the Champions League to 39 in just 34 games. It helped the treble-winning striker secure a place on the list of all-time leading goal scorers in the European competition, topped by Cristiano Ronaldo.

Haaland has already equalled the tally of Fernando Morientes and is only three behind French striker Kylian Mbappe. A few more goals will help Haaland move past Didier Drogba, who netted 44 goals in the Champions League.

Thanks to the 3-0 triumph, Manchester City confirmed their place in the knockout stage of the Champions League. It is the tenth consecutive time that the Premier League giants have punched their ticket to the Round of 16.