“Haller’s biggest choice wasn’t about club vs country.”

Sébastien Haller’s time in the Bundesliga with Borussia Dortmund was a rollercoaster.

From joining in 2022 for €31 million to overcoming a testicular cancer diagnosis, returning to score goals in the league and helping BVB push for titles, and playing in both Champions League and domestic action.

But one of his most powerful moments didn’t happen at Signal Iduna Park or in a Bundesliga match. it happened when he was asked whether he’d skip the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) to stay at his club.

Instead of choosing convenient club football, Haller called out the disrespect toward African players compared to European stars and proudly represented his country.

While Dortmund fans will remember his resilience on and off the pitch, bouncing back from illness and fighting for his place in a competitive Bundesliga side, this decision highlights a deeper loyalty to pride, identity, and respect in football.

Even after returning to the German top flight and featuring in key matches, his choice to play for Ivory Coast in AFCON shows that sometimes a player’s values matter just as much as their club achievements.

Did you agree with his choice at the time or was you shocked by what he said and did?