The remaining candidates competing with Haaland are American gymnastics icon Simone Biles, women’s soccer star of Spain and Barca Aitana Bonmati, tennis legend Novak Djokovic, captain of the rugby team. South African Siya Kolisi and F1 world champion Max Verstappen.
Due to being with Man City attending the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup in Saudi Arabia, Haaland did not attend the awards Gala in London on the evening of December 19. The organizers showed a video recording the 23-year-old striker’s speech. Haaland said he was proud to surpass athletes who are legends in their field, and thanked all Man City members.
“To be recognized in this way by sports lovers is a very special feeling and I want to thank those who voted for me,” the Norwegian star added. “Man City created incredible memories last season, and we want to do the same this year. Thank you again.”
In 2023 – in his first season with Man City, Haaland made a strong impression with 52 goals in 53 matches in all competitions, helping the home team win the treble, including the Champions League, Premier League, and FA Cup. In the Premier League alone, he scored 36 goals and broke the record for scoring the most goals in a season held by Alan Shearer and Andy Cole (both 34 goals). In the Champions League, Haaland also won top scorer with 12 goals, including a record of five goals in the 7-0 win over RB Leipzig in the second leg of the 1/8 round at Etihad Stadium.
Thanks to this excellent performance, Haaland won the title of Best Player, Outstanding Young Player of the Premier League 2022-2023 awarded by the tournament organizers, and Best Player of the Premier League by the Football Journalists Association. English rock (FWA) voted. He also won the European Golden Shoe, a title that belongs to the player with the most goals at national championships.
Besides Haaland’s award, Man City also won two other categories: best club and best coach of the year for Pep Guardiola.
World Sports Star is the new name of the year’s best Foreign Sports Personality. The BBC began voting in 1960 to honor a non-British sports star who is considered to have made the most significant contribution to the respective sport during the year.
BBC is the national radio and television corporation of the United Kingdom. The BBC is the world’s oldest national broadcaster as well as the world’s largest media organization by number of employees. The BBC’s headquarters are at Broadcasting House, London.