Erling Haaland Breaks Norway’s All-Time Goalscoring Record at 24, Cementing His Place in Football History

Erling Haaland, at just 24 years old, has become Norway’s all-time leading goalscorer, achieving the remarkable feat during a Nations League win against Slovenia. With two goals in the match, Haaland took his international tally to 34, surpassing Jorgen Juve’s long-standing record of 33 goals, which had stood since the 1930s.

Haaland, who made his debut for Norway in 2019, reached the milestone in just 36 games, an astonishing rate of goalscoring for the young striker. In contrast, Juve set his record over 27 games and later played in a defensive role before retiring with 45 caps. Haaland’s record-breaking moment came as he calmly slotted the ball through goalkeeper Jan Oblak’s legs, securing his 34th goal for his country.

During the match, Haaland captained Norway in the absence of Martin Odegaard and was a constant threat, registering 10 shots with seven on target. His prolific display was complemented by Alexander Sorloth, who scored Norway’s other goal in the 2-0 victory.

Haaland’s achievement, while impressive for Norway, also places him among the world’s top international scorers. Although his 34 goals may seem modest compared to Cristiano Ronaldo’s 132 for Portugal or Lionel Messi’s 109 for Argentina, it still surpasses some notable records. Scotland’s top scorers, Kenny Dalglish and Denis Law, both ended their careers with 30 international goals, making Haaland’s total even more significant.

Aside from his international success, Haaland has shattered numerous records at the club level. With 236 goals across his stints at Molde, Salzburg, Borussia Dortmund, and Manchester City, he has already established himself as one of football’s deadliest finishers. His 100th goal for Manchester City, achieved in just 105 games, matched Cristiano Ronaldo’s record for Real Madrid as the fastest player to score 100 goals for a club in Europe’s top five leagues.

Other standout achievements include Haaland’s record for most Premier League goals in a season (36 in 2022-23), as well as becoming the youngest player to score 50 Bundesliga goals at the age of 21. In the Champions League, he also reached 40 goals in just 35 games, breaking Ruud van Nistelrooy’s previous record by 10 fewer matches.

As Haaland continues to break records both internationally and at club level, his future looks brighter than ever. With his goal-scoring prowess and unrelenting drive, he’s set to make an even bigger impact in football in the years to come.