It has taken a while, but Ivorian striker Haller has finally played a competitive match for Dortmund after winning battle with cancer
Borussia Dortmund’s Sebastian Haller finally made his long-awaited competitive debut for the club after missing six months of action while treating testicular cancer.
Haller’s long road to recovery
Haller replaced Youssoufa Moukoko in the 62nd minute of Dortmund’s Bundesliga clash with Augsburg to finally lay to rest the ghosts of a turbulent first six months at the club.
Haller joined Dortmund in July 2022 from Ajax for €31 million, and was seen as an ideal replacement for Erling Haaland who had just departed Germany for Manchester City.
However, fans of Borussia Dortmund have had to wait until today to see their star summer acquisition play a competitive game for them because soon after signing, he was diagnosed with cancer after complaining of some discomfort.
Haller spent the next six months fighting for his life while Dortmund fought the Bundesliga battle without him.
He went through two surgeries and bouts of chemotherapy, but he has finally been able to rejoin his teammates for the second half of the season.
Haller could be vital for Dorrmund
Haller was unable to get on the scoresheet as Dortmund ran out 4-3 winners in an end-to-end contest against Augsburg, but given his pedigree, it is a matter of time before he gets amongst the goals for BVB.
The Ivorian forward scored 34 goals in 43 games in his last season with Ajax, including 11 in eight Uefa Champions League fixtures which shot him into the limelight and earned him a move to Dortmund.
Should he find that kind of form again, Dortmund would be more than happy that he has been able to rejoin the first team so soon after a life-threatening situation.
Related content
19:11 - 13.01.2023
BUNDESLIGA Haller sends Bundesliga warning with seven-minute hat trick
After winning the battle against cancer, Haller is back on the pitch and showed how dangerous he can be with a hat trick against Basel
10:50 - 11.01.2023
BUNDESLIGA Haller reacts to the 'great moment' he returned following cancer battle
Haller reacts to the 'great moment' he returned following cancer battle The Ivorian forward made his long-awaited return to football after a six-month fight with cancer.
19:39 - 10.01.2023
BUNDESLIGA Sebastian Haller plays first match since cancer diagnosis
Borussia Dortmund's Ivorian striker Sebastian Haller has played his first match after beating cancer
23:08 - 02.01.2023
Sebastian Haller resumes Dortmund training after bout with cancer
After undergoing treatment for cancer, Ivorian striker Sebastian Haller is now back to training with Borussia Dortmund
22:33 - 21.01.2023
BUNDESLIGA Dortmund renew Moukoko’s contract despite age dispute
Borussia Dortmund have extended 18-year-old striker Moukoko's contract until 2026