Sebastien Haller scores an emotional first goal for Borussia Dortmund since joining from Ajax last summer after returning from cancer treatment as he stars in the 5-1 win over Freiburg
Sebastien Haller’s sensational return to football continued as the striker scored a first competitive goal for Borussia Dortmund on World Cancer Day.
Haller was diagnosed with testicular cancer over the summer just weeks after joining Ajax and only made his debut for the club in January after making a full recovery.
Haller scored his first competitive goal for Dortmund since joining from Ajax[/caption]
Ivory Coast striker Haller was diagnosed with testicular cancer a few weeks after his arrival[/caption]
Haller has undergone two surgeries and four rounds of chemotherapy and only returned to training last month, where he made his debut for the club in a 4-3 win over Augsburg in the Bundesliga.
And he is now on the scoresheet for the first time after heading in Dortmund’s third goal in their 5-1 win over Freiburg on Saturday in the 51st minute.
The 28-year-old, who scored a hat-trick in a friendly against Basel in January, got a late cross from Raphael Guerreiro to spark pandemonium at Signal Iduna Park.
Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl praised the former West Ham striker after the match, which saw BVB take third place in the Bundesliga table.
He said: “We are all happy for Sebastian. He has been working for this day for a long time.
“It’s a big weight on his shoulders, we’re all excited and delighted.”
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Haller headed Dortmund’s third goal in their 5-1 win over Freiburg on Saturday[/caption]
Haller started the game against Freiburg but was replaced on the hour mark by teenage starlet Youssoufa Moukoko.
His goal incidentally came on World Cancer Day, and Dortmund included a bump on the center circle to mark Testicular Cancer Awareness Day.
Since returning, Haller has been wearing specially designed boots with a slogan expressing his anger over the disease as it reads “F*** cancer”.
Speaking after the match, Haller said he wanted his return to football to serve as inspiration.
Former West Ham striker Haller was mobbed by his teammates after his goal[/caption]
He remarked, “Scoring today was also a great message for anyone who is fighting today or will be fighting later.
“It gives hope, courage. That’s it you know. The days after will always be better.
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