From triumphing over cancer to becoming a champion of AFCON, and now, receiving a hero’s welcome – Haller’s journey knows no bounds!
Sebastien Haller, the forward for Borussia Dortmund, was greeted with open arms by his fellow club members following his triumphant victory in the AFCON final. The Ivory Coast emerged victorious with a score of 2-1 against Nigeria, securing their third AFCON title in history.
After an eight-year hiatus, the West African nation claimed the AFCON championship once again. Haller’s crucial goal in the 81st minute of the match sealed the victory for his team, defeating Nigeria and earning the highly coveted continental title. This iconic moment elevated him to the status of a national hero, as he was warmly welcomed back to Germany by his Dortmund teammates and staff.
With eager anticipation, the Dortmund players eagerly awaited Haller’s arrival at their training ground in Brackel, joyfully singing chants as he approached. The Black and Yellow team wholeheartedly embraced the striker, celebrating his successful tournament. As Haller walked in, confetti in the colors of his nation filled the air, cheers erupted, and he triumphantly raised his arms in celebration. The team captain then presented him with a canvas picture of his trophy, followed by well wishes from the rest of the team.
Furthermore, following his impressive performance in Africa, the Ivory Coast forward is now expected to rejoin the squad for Dortmund’s upcoming match against Wolfsburg. This season has been challenging for Haller, as he has only managed to score two goals in 14 appearances.
Having started his career at the French second-division club Auxerre, Sebastien Haller has played for teams in the Netherlands, Germany, and England. He led his team to victory in AFCON by scoring the winning goals in both the semi-final and final matches. However, his path to success has been marked by numerous obstacles.
After his transfer from Ajax to Dortmund in the summer of 2022, the 29-year-old forward faced a significant setback when he was diagnosed with testicular cancer. Despite this adversity, Haller underwent multiple rounds of chemotherapy, underwent surgery, and remarkably made a swift return to football just six months after his diagnosis. In the previous season, he made a strong impact by scoring nine goals in 22 matches.
This season, however, Haller has found himself displaced by Dortmund’s new signing. Nevertheless, with his recent triumph in Africa, his playing time may see an increase.
According to the Source firstsportz.com