Erling Haaland, the Norwegian forward for Manchester City, earned the title of Player of the Year for the 2022/23 season. The season overview highlighted Haaland as a standout, with his Belgian teammate Kevin De Bruyne and Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior rounding out the top three on the season’s list.
Haaland appeared in 51 games across all competitions and found the back of the net 52 times for City. He shattered the Premier League single-season scoring record with 36 goals, surpassing the previous marks held by Andy Cole and Alan Shearer, who both finished on 34 goals. This remarkable goal haul helped underline Haaland’s role as a central figure in City’s assault on domestic and European glory.
Manchester City clinched the Premier League title ahead of schedule, marking the club’s ninth league championship in its history. The victory reinforced City’s status as a dominant force in English football and set the stage for a potential double haul in the same campaign.
Looking ahead, the season offered City the chance to claim two additional trophies. To complete the treble, the team needed to win two more finals: the FA Cup and the Champions League. In the FA Cup, they were set to meet Manchester United, a historic and fiercely contested derby encounter. In the Champions League, City faced Inter Milan, presenting another high-stakes European clash that would test the squad’s depth, strategy, and resilience on the biggest stage in club football.
Reports from the period also noted Haaland’s high-profile transfer to Manchester City, a move that many observers described as one of the most impactful arrivals in European football. His arrival was viewed as a catalyst for City’s continued pursuit of domestic dominance and continental success, with expectations that he would continue to set new standards for scoring efficiency and consistency at the highest level.