In early 2026, Erling Haaland continues to dominate headlines for both club and country, reinforcing his status as one of the most decisive players in world football.
After Manchester City’s recent victory over Newcastle United, Pep Guardiola surprisingly named Haaland his personal “Man of the Match’ as reported by fabrizio romano via their official x handle. hile the Norwegian striker did not steal the spotlight solely through goals, Guardiola praised his physicality and tactical discipline, highlighting his intense duel with Dan Burn and his willingness to fight for every 50/50 ball.
Romano posted ;
Pep Guardiola: Erling Haaland was Man of the Match for me!.
Because he fought with Dan Burn, against man-marking you have to play more direct, and if you don’t fight for those balls 50/50, no chance. And he did it!.
New signing Marc Guéhi also commended Haaland’s work rate, describing his defensive contribution as “unreal.”
Haaland’s impact, however, goes far beyond individual matches. On December 2, 2025, he became the fastest player in history to reach 100 goals in the Premier League, achieving the milestone in just 111 appearances. The record-breaking strike came during a dramatic 5–4 win over Fulham at Craven Cottage, surpassing the previous benchmark set by Alan Shearer.
On the international stage, Haaland delivered a defining moment for Norway national football team. In November 2025, he scored twice in a stunning 4–1 victory over Italy national football team at the San Siro, sealing Norway’s qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup their first appearance in 28 years.
Softfootball reported that He finished the qualifying campaign with 16 goals, matching the European record set by Robert Lewandowski.
From breaking Premier League records to leading his nation back to the World Cup, Haaland’s early 2026 form underlines a player operating at the peak of his powers relentless, decisive, and rewriting history with remarkable consistency.
