Sebastien Haller has become a hero for Ivory Coast 18 months after he was diagnosed with cancer.
The 29-year-old scored the decisive winning goal in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations final against Nigeria on Sunday, February 11.
This moment was something he wouldn't have dreamt about while he was receiving treatment for a testicular tumor in the hospital in 2022.
Despite his struggles, the Dortmund star made a triumphant return to the field and helped his team secure a victory in the semi-final against the Democratic Republic of Congo before scoring the winning goal in the final.
Sebastien Haller's comeback from cancer and impressive performance in the tournament came after a challenging year that also included a close race for the Bundesliga title with Borussia Dortmund
Initially, it was looking like he might not be able to compete in the 2023 AFCON due to an ankle injury from playing with Dortmund in December.
To feature in the tournament, Haller flew to Ivory Coast early to work on his fitness, missing the group stage games.
Despite a 4-0 defeat to Equatorial Guinea, Ivory Coast managed to advance as the last of the four best third-placed teams, narrowly avoiding elimination.
Following Ivory Coast's narrow escape, Haller was able to contribute as a substitute under interim coach Emerse Fae in the last 16 matches against Senegal, scoring in the penalty shoot-out.
He continued to make important contributions off the bench in the quarter-final win over Mali.
Finally deemed fit to start in the semi-final, he scored a decisive volley against DR Congo at the Ebimpe Olympic Stadium that sent the host country to the finals.
And his stunning goal against the Super Eagles solidifies him as being one of the most influential players at the 2023 AFCON.
Haller was born in France and he originally represented the country up to the Under-21 level alongside 2018 World Cup winners Benjamin Pavard and Ousmane Dembele.
Since he didn't receive a call from France senior team coach, Didier Deschamps, he accepted an offer in 2020 to play for Ivory Coast, his mother's birthplace.
During the last Cup of Nations in Cameroon, Haller played for the Ivorian team that was eliminated in the last 16.
At that time, he was playing for Ajax and making a name for himself by scoring goals in the Netherlands and the UEFA Champions League.
In July 2022, Haller made a big-money move to Dortmund, as the German club saw him as the ideal replacement for Erling Haaland, who joined Manchester City that same year.
After he was diagnosed with testicular cancer just days after joining the club, he underwent several months of treatment, including chemotherapy and operations.
His first competitive appearance for the club came on January 22, 2023 against Augsburg.
He went on to lead his country to victory in the 2023 AFCON on Sunday, February 11, against Nigeria.
What's your take on this, please, share your thoughts with us in the comments box below:
The 29-year-old scored the decisive winning goal in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations final against Nigeria on Sunday, February 11.
This moment was something he wouldn't have dreamt about while he was receiving treatment for a testicular tumor in the hospital in 2022.
Despite his struggles, the Dortmund star made a triumphant return to the field and helped his team secure a victory in the semi-final against the Democratic Republic of Congo before scoring the winning goal in the final.
Haller's 2023 AFCON journey
Sebastien Haller's comeback from cancer and impressive performance in the tournament came after a challenging year that also included a close race for the Bundesliga title with Borussia Dortmund
Initially, it was looking like he might not be able to compete in the 2023 AFCON due to an ankle injury from playing with Dortmund in December.
To feature in the tournament, Haller flew to Ivory Coast early to work on his fitness, missing the group stage games.
Despite a 4-0 defeat to Equatorial Guinea, Ivory Coast managed to advance as the last of the four best third-placed teams, narrowly avoiding elimination.
Following Ivory Coast's narrow escape, Haller was able to contribute as a substitute under interim coach Emerse Fae in the last 16 matches against Senegal, scoring in the penalty shoot-out.
He continued to make important contributions off the bench in the quarter-final win over Mali.
Finally deemed fit to start in the semi-final, he scored a decisive volley against DR Congo at the Ebimpe Olympic Stadium that sent the host country to the finals.
And his stunning goal against the Super Eagles solidifies him as being one of the most influential players at the 2023 AFCON.
Haller's Journey from France to Ivory Coast
Haller was born in France and he originally represented the country up to the Under-21 level alongside 2018 World Cup winners Benjamin Pavard and Ousmane Dembele.
Since he didn't receive a call from France senior team coach, Didier Deschamps, he accepted an offer in 2020 to play for Ivory Coast, his mother's birthplace.
During the last Cup of Nations in Cameroon, Haller played for the Ivorian team that was eliminated in the last 16.
At that time, he was playing for Ajax and making a name for himself by scoring goals in the Netherlands and the UEFA Champions League.
In July 2022, Haller made a big-money move to Dortmund, as the German club saw him as the ideal replacement for Erling Haaland, who joined Manchester City that same year.
After he was diagnosed with testicular cancer just days after joining the club, he underwent several months of treatment, including chemotherapy and operations.
His first competitive appearance for the club came on January 22, 2023 against Augsburg.
He went on to lead his country to victory in the 2023 AFCON on Sunday, February 11, against Nigeria.
What's your take on this, please, share your thoughts with us in the comments box below: