October 10, 2024, is a memorable anniversary for Norway football. At just 24 years old, Haaland made his first start as captain of the Norway and broke Yuve's 90-year-Norway old Golden Boot record with 34 goals in 36 games. It is worth mentioning that 90 years ago, 27 years and 7 months ago, Yuvi also set a record as the captain of Norway. The cycle of history has gone through a full 90 years, spanning the century, allowing Norway fans to witness a new team history of the team's goalscorer.
Shockingly, Haaland has scored 34 goals in his first 36 games with Norway, the most for his country since Gerd · Müller in March 1972 (42 goals). Haaland's compatriot Juvi, who scored 33 goals in the first 27 games for Norway, is more than 90 years ago when modern football first entered professionalism, and it is not the same as today. Haaland's goal efficiency in the national team is so high that even Messi, Ronaldo, and Mbappe can't achieve it.
Ronaldo scored 132 goals in 214 games for Portugal, with only 11 goals in the first 36 games; Messi scored 109 goals in 188 games for Argentina, with just 12 in the first 36, and the two pioneering superstars averaged almost one-third of Haaland's goals per game in the first 36 games for the national team. Mbappe, a superstar who competed with Haaland's contemporaries, scored just 15 goals in his first 36 games, less than half of Haaland's size. For Haaland, perhaps he can set a record for Norway's all-time national team goals, which could be his most likely goal for Norway to have a place in world football.
The current top scorers in world football for the national team are Cristiano Ronaldo (132 goals), Lionel Messi (109 goals) and the long-retired Ali · Daei (108 goals). Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi are nearing the twilight of their careers, and it is no surprise that the 2026 World Cup will be their swan song in world football. Ronaldo was 27 years and 3 months old when he scored 34 goals for Portugal, and Messi was close to 26 when he scored 34 goals for Argentina, and for Haaland, who is only 24 years old, if he can maintain a relatively healthy and consistent number of national team appearances and goal efficiency, it is very likely that he will surpass Messi and Ronaldo. However, while Haaland scored efficiently with Norway, Mbappe was only 24 years old when he scored 34 goals for France, giving him the same age advantage as Haaland.
Haaland is proud to be the all-time Golden Boot of the Norway team, and he also highlighted his sense of honour and responsibility to represent the Norway team: "It's a great record...... I still have a lot of years in my career and I hope I can do better. ”
Haaland countered the accusations that he was not fully committed to Norway's long-term absence from the tournament: "There are always people in the media who try to label me as not liking playing for the national team, now you can die, you can see how eager I am to play for Norway. Haaland couldn't avoid the comparison between Norway and Manchester City: "Why didn't Norway succeed? Since I was born, Norway has never made it to a major tournament. So we have to work hard and strive for success. ”
Obviously, Haaland is not content to be the all-time golden boot of the Norway team, but wants to lead the Norway team to the major stage. After making his Norway debut in 2019, Haaland played in one World Cup (2022), two European Championships (2020 and 2024) qualifiers and three UEFA Nations Leagues, failing to qualify for the 2022 World Cup and Euro 2020 and 2024, and failing to lead Norway to the A division in the previous two editions.
However, in the 2024/25 UEFA Nations League B group stage, Norway won 2 and drew 1 in the first three rounds and accumulated 7 points, 3 points ahead of Austria and Slovenia, and is very hopeful of being promoted to Group A. Against two rivals, Austria and Slovenia, Haaland scored three goals to lead the team to consecutive victories. In the absence of midfield core Odegaard, there is a good chance to lead Europe's third-rate Norway team to the UEFA Nations League A competition. In the 2026 World Cup European qualifiers starting next year, Haaland is also full of confidence, hoping to let Norway appear on the stage again after 2000, after 26 years. This is an unshirkable mission for Haaland.
In the past, people had the impression of Norway football as stars active at the turn of the century such as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Kalou and Flo, and although the current Norway team also has Haaland, who is worth 200 million euros, and superstars such as Therot, Odegaard and Leyson who play for the big five leagues, only the big stage is the ultimate arena for them to establish their place in history. Haaland at Manchester City is considered a success on the shoulders of giants, so he is more eager to use his strength to usher in a great era defined by Norway, the traditional European underdog in the 21st century. The latter, in Haaland's view, has a higher sense of accomplishment than the accolades he received at Manchester City.