Haaland keeps Ballon d'Or promise to Drogba with iconic celebration

Faruq Ibrahim 01:00 - 08 November 2023

Erling Haaland reenacts Didier Drogba's legendary celebration || Image credit: BR Football/Football Tweet

Erling Haaland picked Didier Drogba over England legend Gary Lineker after Ballon d'Or challenge.

Manchester City star Erling Haaland has kept his promise to Premier League legend Didier Drogba after scoring against Young Boys.

The 22-year-old striker scored twice against Young Boys, and after his first strike, he pulled off Drogba’s iconic hands-thrust-wide celebration as he promised the Ivorian he would.

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Haaland accepts Drogba’s challenge

The Norwegian disappointedly missed out on the Ballon d’Or by a place, coming second to Lionel Messi. Still, he was awarded the Gerd Muller Trophy for being the most prolific striker of the season.

He was presented the award by legendary England striker Gary Lineker, and while on stage, Drogba, who was the MC on the night, gave Haaland an interesting challenge.

Didier Drogba doing his iconic celebration || Image credit: B/R Football

“For your next goal, I challenge you: you have to choose between the Didier Drogba celebration and the Gary Lineker celebration,” he told Haaland.

Half-Time in the Champions League 👇

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🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Man City 2-0 Young Boys 🇨🇭
🇮🇹 AC Milan 1-1 PSG 🇫🇷
🇷🇸 Red Star 0-1 Leipzig 🇩🇪

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The striker obliged but kept his cards close to his chest, on whose celebration he would attempt. Haaland did not score in the next game he played after the clash, the 6-1 thrashing of Bournemouth, but was on target in the romping of Young Boys and proceeded to do the ‘Drogba’ after the penalty that resulted in his first goal.

Meanwhile, after a record eighth Ballon d'Or win, Lionel Messi has offered sympathy to Erling Haaland, who finished in second place.