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The cancer survivor was candid about the pain he suffered after losing the Bundesliga title on the last day of the season with Borussia Dortmund
Sebastien Haller, the talismanic striker whose name reverberated across footballing circles following his heroics at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), has revealed that his heartache with Borussia Dortmund trumped even his battle with cancer.
Dortmund’s Bundesliga Dreams Dashed
In the twilight of the 2022-23 Bundesliga season, Haller's boots blazed with brilliance. With eight goals in 10 games, he propelled Dortmund tantalizingly close to clinching the Bundesliga crown for the first time in a decade.
However, fate had a cruel twist in store. A 2-2 draw against Mainz on the final day, coupled with Haller's missed penalty, shattered Dortmund's dreams. To add salt to the wound, Jamal Musiala's eleventh-hour winner for Bayern Munich against Cologne sealed the Bavarian side's retention of the title on goal difference.
A Painful Admission
Reflecting on the heart-wrenching denouement, Haller bared his soul in an interview with The Athletic: "It was the biggest disappointment I have had in football. It was harder to accept than my illness because I could have an impact on it. I was not just a victim but an actor. It was so painful."
"In these moments, you realize you are lucky and blessed to have family and friends around you. If I was by myself, I would have probably stayed on the ground for one week and not moved."
Haller's candid admission underscores the emotional rollercoaster that professional athletes often endure, where triumph and despair intermingle in the pursuit of glory.
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