Are soccer players becoming better by default? The story of Haaland

Soccer is undoubtedly the most popular sport in the world. With millions of followers, the sport managed to establish itself in various parts of the world including the ones where it is not the first option.

Every day we hear stories about players becoming world-class athletes, competing in the most prominent clubs of Europe. Erling Haaland is one of the most obvious examples of recent years. The Norwegian lethal striker started his career in his native country, then moved to Salzburg and quickly ended up in Dortmund. Haaland is a prolific scorer and is widely considered one of the best players in the world. In this article we will have a look at his story and whether soccer players are becoming better by default.

Soccer has Evolved Massively

If we were to compare the past soccer players with the modern ones - everything changed notably. In the past, players who were 30 years or older were considered veterans. Nowadays, with new medicines and technology, it is feasible to play at the highest level - even when you are 35. The age is not as visible as it was in the past.

If we pick Haaland as an example, he is in phenomenal shape. With modern training and different tools, it is possible to be physically strong. Haaland trains a lot and in terms of physically barely, anyone compares with him. Considering he plays as a striker, Haaland can dominate the defenders and fight for the ball, overpowering the opponents.

Milestones are Different

Modern computers and technology have made everything easier. In the past - especially in the 70s and 80s everything was done by hand. At the present moment, the information is stored in the computer. You can carry out different drills, tasks with the help of a computer. Artificial intelligence played a pivotal role in this regard. If we look at how Erling Haaland trains, he pays a lot of attention to drills and this factor is helpful for him.

It is Easier to Treat Injuries

Injuries have become common in soccer. We have a lot of long-term injuries, but in general, these injuries can be treated more effectively, than it was in the past. Once again the medicine, different pills and treatment methods have made the task easier for soccer players and teams. Haaland was already injured several times, but he returned earlier than was scheduled, which is due to the fact, that the medicine is ahead.

In the second half of the 2021/2022 season when Haaland picked an injury, he was not thought to have played until 2021, but the Norwegian player returned quickly and already managed to score a goal against Wolfsburg.

Scarcity of Good Players

Erling Haaland is definitely a good player and world star, but he is lucky to have been born in the modern period. Compared to the previous years, when there was an abundance of world-class players the situation is different right now. Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, David Beckham, Raul, Paul Scholes, Xavi - these are the players that managed to create a legacy in the same period. Right now the concept of “star player” has diminished massively. That’s again due to the fact that soccer changed. Teams learnt how to deal with the opponents defensively. Haaland is more of a modern player, but he may have not been the same, had he played in the past.

Will Haaland Win Ballon d’Or?

Another sign of becoming a great player is winning a major individual title. For a soccer player, it is winning the Ballon d’Or. Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are already approaching the end of their careers. It seems that a player from the new generation should already win this award. If Erling Haaland goes to a different team, he will have a chance to achieve this milestone.