Haaland's goal once again ignited worldwide attention.
It was the first time in Champions League history that a player had scored 12 goals in the group stage, setting a new all-time record. Even more astonishing, the player was only 19 years old.
Football fans around the world, much like gamers collecting virtual achievements, went into a frenzy over the young Norwegian.
The media immediately launched a storm of coverage, showering Haaland with praise and declaring him a once-in-a-generation prodigy. Anyone unfamiliar with him would think football had just birthed a new phenomenon unlike anything seen before.
Leeds United, however, took a calm and measured approach. They neither hyped up the achievement nor attempted to suppress it.
In an interview, Gao Shen first commended Haaland's performance and explained why he had passionately supported him during the match. But he also pointed out a key issue.
"He still has a long way to go before he's truly mature."
Technical director Borrell also spoke to the media, saying that Haaland was not yet ready to be the team's main striker because the current Premier League top scorer was still Leeds United's captain, Jamie Vardy.
Borrell explained that while the future belonged to Haaland, the present still depended on Vardy.
"I don't think Haaland is ready to replace Vardy just yet. He needs to grow stronger and more consistent."
With Leeds United's official statements and careful management of the press, public opinion gradually cooled down.
Still, several tabloids eager for drama began spreading rumors that Leeds United were deliberately suppressing Haaland's rise.
The club quickly issued a clarification, and Haaland himself reposted it online, expressing his gratitude to the club and his teammates.
Soon after, Leeds United released a training ground video showing Haaland and Vardy laughing and joking together, proving to everyone that there was no rivalry between them.
Given their age difference, they weren't even competing directly for the same role.
But one thing was certain—Haaland had become a global sensation.
He was red hot, to the point of being untouchable.
The young Norwegian had sparked a worldwide youth movement and captured the attention of Europe's biggest clubs.
Even before the Champions League group stage officially ended, some clubs couldn't resist making offers to Leeds United, hoping to sign Haaland during the winter transfer window. Many others sent inquiries about his valuation.
Leeds United's response was firm and unwavering: absolutely not.
Rather than repeatedly saying that Haaland was "not for sale," the club emphasized something else entirely—Haaland was the future of Leeds United. There was no reason or opportunity to sell him.
Fans supported the club wholeheartedly.
Haaland held dual Norwegian and English citizenship and was a product of Leeds United's academy. With that background, he had become one of their own in every sense.
...
While Haaland continued to dominate headlines, France Football released the results of the Ballon d'Or.
Just like the FIFA World Player of the Year award earlier in the year, the Ballon d'Or went to Lionel Messi.
The decision immediately caused uproar.
When Messi beat Mbappé and Cristiano Ronaldo to win the FIFA award, many fans already felt that Mbappé had been unfairly overlooked. They accused FIFA of bias and manipulation.
In 2018, Mbappé had won the World Cup but was still a rising star. It was understandable that he didn't win back then.
But in 2019, he led Leeds United to a historic Premier League and Champions League double, yet still failed to claim either major award. Many found that hard to justify.
Neither Leeds United nor Real Madrid attended the FIFA awards ceremony, which weakened the event's credibility since Leeds United were among the biggest winners of the year.
For example, Pochettino was named Coach of the Year, while Alisson, De Ligt, Bernardo Silva, and Mbappé were all included in the Team of the Year.
The fact that Leeds United collected five major accolades but skipped the ceremony, along with Mbappé finishing second in the World Player vote, was awkward for FIFA.
To make amends, FIFA officials later traveled to Leeds to personally present the trophies in a brief ceremony.
Then came the Ballon d'Or, and once again, Messi's victory sparked debate.
It wasn't that Messi hadn't performed well, he had won La Liga and the Copa del Rey but compared with Mbappé's Premier League and Champions League double, many believed Mbappé's achievements were greater.
Messi did edge Mbappé in the European Golden Boot race, which gave him a statistical advantage, but that hardly outweighed two major titles.
Spanish media aligned with Real Madrid and British outlets both voiced their support for Mbappé, but the outcome was final.
...
On December 14, in the 17th round of the Premier League, Leeds United traveled to face Leicester City.
In the 20th minute, Sancho carried the ball past midfield, cut inside, and threaded a perfect through pass.
Vardy darted between two defenders, rounded the onrushing goalkeeper, and calmly slotted the ball into the empty net.
1-0!
Vardy, Leeds United's captain, had been in phenomenal form all season. His consistent scoring meant he remained at the top of the Premier League charts.
Since Mbappé's departure, Sancho had become the team's creative spark, playing more as a hybrid between a winger and an attacking midfielder. His goals and assists were evenly balanced.
On the left, Rashford had adjusted to his new physicality and was improving steadily, though his finishing still lacked consistency. Vinicius, Grealish, and Foden were all developing but hadn't yet reached elite attacking levels.
Vinicius showed immense potential, but he was still very young.
Therefore, Leeds United's main goal threats were Vardy and Haaland.
In the league, Bruno Fernandes and Sancho followed Vardy in goal tally, while Haaland's Champions League form had added extra competition and motivation.
Even Vardy could feel the pressure.
In the 41st minute, another swift counterattack saw Sancho burst down the right flank. He stopped suddenly near the penalty area and sent a diagonal pass across the box.
The ball slipped between Leicester's defense and midfield, arriving at Rashford near the penalty spot.
Rashford charged forward and struck first-time with his right foot.
The ball flew past the goalkeeper into the right corner.
2-0!
After halftime, Sancho and Hakimi combined brilliantly down the right. Sancho whipped a cross toward the top of the penalty arc, where Rashford waited.
Without taking a touch, he swung his leg and unleashed a stunning shot.
The ball soared into the top right corner.
An absolute blind spot!
The goalkeeper froze, completely helpless.
3-0!
Leicester tried to respond but were punished again in the 75th minute when Hakimi launched a long ball over the top.
Vardy broke the offside trap, brought it down, and finished calmly one-on-one to make it 4-0.
Leeds United even had a chance for a fifth when Rashford dribbled into the box and was brought down by three defenders, but the referee waved play on.
Leicester grabbed a consolation goal late on, but it ended 4-1 to Leeds United.
Haaland's red-hot form had clearly inspired his teammates. Players like Vardy and Rashford were stepping up, eager to prove themselves as well.
...
After the 17th Premier League round, Leeds United flew to Qatar for the Club World Cup.
It was their first appearance in the tournament, and the squad brimmed with ambition.
Meanwhile, UEFA announced the Champions League Round of 16 draw. Leeds United would face Lyon of Ligue 1, a familiar opponent.
Before the year ended, Transfermarkt released an updated ranking of Premier League club market values.
Surprisingly, Leeds United failed to make the top ten for the first time in years.
The main reason was their sale of ten key players over the summer, leaving Haaland and Alisson as the team's most valuable assets—neither ranking among the league's top ten individually.
Ironically, most of the Premier League's most valuable players were former Leeds United stars.
Sterling topped the list at €160 million, followed by Kane, Salah, Mane, and others—all ex-Leeds players.
Hazard, Bale, and De Bruyne also shared similar valuations with those names.
In terms of league standings, Manchester City led the Premier League, followed by Liverpool and Leeds United.
By total squad value, Leeds ranked fourth, but by total wage expenditure, they were seventh—one of the most financially efficient clubs in the league.
That efficiency made Leeds United a model of sustainability, though it also made them a prime target for poaching. Yet with Haaland now untouchable, the big clubs finally realized that signing from Leeds would no longer be easy.
When Leeds United arrived in Qatar, local side Al Sadd, coached by Barcelona legend Xavi, had just suffered two crushing defeats: a 0-1 elimination from the semifinals and a 2-6 loss in the fifth-place match.
It was clear that Xavi, as a coach, still had a lot to learn.
Upon landing in Qatar, Gao Shen received an extravagant gift and some explosive news.
(To be continued.)