Erling Haaland: The Best Striker Of This Decade? Extends Contract With Manchester City For 9 Years
Erling Haaland made into the headlines again with an extension in contract with Manchester City, have a look at his achievements and records.

Erling Haaland’s emergence into world football has been nothing short of extraordinary. In January 2025, Haaland made headlines once again by extending his contract with Manchester City for an impressive nine years, further cementing his role as the centerpiece of the club’s attacking force.
As he continues breaking records and dominating the pitch, one can’t help but ask: is Haaland the best striker of the decade? Let’s explore his career achievements, compare him with other top strikers, and assess his potential legacy in world football.
Haaland’s Record-Breaking Career: A Striker Like No Other

Haaland’s career stats are a testament to his goal-scoring prowess. In total, over his football career, he has scored 246 goals for club football, an honor that puts him out on a level with the crème de la crème of the game. Notably, his time at Manchester City has been extremely fertile, scoring 111 goals in just 126 appearances, and breaking the record for 36 goals during the 2022/23 Premier League season. This thus places him definitely among the best anywhere in one of the world’s stiffest competitive leagues.
On the European stage, Haaland has proved his worth in the Champions League, scoring 46 goals in 45 appearances. His contributions were pivotal in helping City secure their first-ever Champions League title in 2023. Internationally, Haaland’s impact is equally impressive, with 38 goals in 39 matches for Norway, further solidifying his claim to being one of the best strikers of the current generation.
Comparing Haaland to Other Modern-Day Legends

In order to know if Haaland is the best striker of his time, it’s important to compare his achievements with other top forwards of the decade.
Kylian Mbappé is another name that has often been used in this debate. By early 2025, Mbappé had scored 306 goals in 412 appearances and was already a World Cup winner with France in 2018. While Mbappé’s success on the international stage is undeniable, Haaland has already won a Champions League, something Mbappé has yet to achieve.
Harry Kane, who has scored as many as 327 career goals by January 2025, has been one of the most consistent strikers in the world. Still, Kane does not have a major international trophy like a Champions League, while Haaland has had early success at City, with a Champions League title and several domestic titles. Kane’s recent move to Bayern Munich might help him change this narrative, but Haaland’s accomplishments thus far give him an edge in the debate.
Robert Lewandowski is another competitor in the discussion. With 444 career goals between 2015 and 2025, Lewandowski’s legendary goal-scoring feats, including his record-breaking 41 goals in a single Bundesliga season, are well-documented. While Lewandowski did win a Champions League with Bayern Munich, Haaland’s rapid rise and early success with Manchester City suggest he could eventually surpass Lewandowski in both quality and quantity of achievements.
The Role of Manchester City’s System in Haaland’s Success

Haaland’s goal-scoring feats have not only been due to his natural talent but also the system in place at Manchester City. Under the tactical genius of Pep Guardiola, Haaland has thrived in a system that emphasizes possession and high pressing, creating a plethora of scoring opportunities. With Kevin De Bruyne orchestrating play in midfield, Haaland is frequently on the receiving end of precise crosses and through balls, making him a constant goal threat.
The City team, with an expected goal (xG) of 2.5 per game, is the perfect scenario in which Haaland can showcase his skills. Others might say that Haaland is succeeding due to the system of City, but the reality is that Haaland has converted chances into goals at a phenomenal rate, so he would not have been stopped by other top teams either.
What’s Next: Haaland Legacy

As Haaland enters his prime years, his legacy is beginning to take shape. However, critics would like to know if he can work at such an incredibly high level outside of the highly crafted environment in Manchester City. This stands out as a key point in evaluating his status as the best striker of the decade.
Another challenge Erling Haaland faces is his international career with Norway. Without a doubt, he is the best player in his national team; however, Norway has not really made a strong impact in the major tournaments so far, thereby limiting Haaland’s global recognition compared to the likes of Mbappé, who has already won a World Cup and reached major finals.
It will be interesting to see if Erling Haaland can keep breaking records and rise to new challenges to secure his place in football history as the best striker of his generation during his peak years.
Is Erling Haaland the Best Striker of the Decade?

The debate over whether Erling Haaland is the best striker of the decade is ongoing, but the evidence in his favor is undeniable. His goal-scoring records, combined with his successes in both domestic and international competitions, set him apart from his peers. As Haaland continues to excel at one of the world’s top clubs, his legacy will only grow stronger with each passing season.
At Sports Courant, we will continue to follow Erling Haaland’s journey, along with that of other elite players, as they push the boundaries of football excellence. Whether Haaland ends up being the best striker of the decade remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: his place in football history is secure, and his journey is far from over.
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