SEBASTIEN HALLER bagged a stunning SEVEN-MINUTE hat-trick in a fairytale return to the Borussia Dortmund starting XI after his cancer diagnosis.
The Ivory Coast international was diagnosed with testicular cancer in the summer of 2022 and underwent a gruelling treatment process.
Haller was given permission to resume full training this month and returned to the fold as a substitute in a friendly against Fortuna Dusseldorf earlier this week.
The 28-year-old was given more minutes in Dortmund’s friendly against FC Basel – who he put to the sword in double-quick time.
Haller opened his account from the penalty spot in the 81st minute before striking again in the 86th and 87th minutes.
Footy fans were quick to comment, with one tweeting: “Things you love to see.”
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Another said: “Sebastien Haller you absolute king.”
And another said: “Haller is back. You will not read better news today.”
One remarked: “Sebastien Haller defeated cancer and in his first [second] game back for Borussia Dortmund vs Basel banged a hat trick. Chateau.”
Another chimed in: “Sebastien Haller beats testicular cancer and returns the same season to score a hat trick in his first minutes for Dortmund. Friendly or not, just unbelievable stuff. Best story of the year.”
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Haller is hoping it won’t be too long before he’s back leading the line for Dortmund in their competitive matches.
He said: “I want to play as quickly as possible. There are no limits and restrictions on my involvement unless the medical staff tell me otherwise.
“I can do everything now that I used to do before, that gives me great confidence.
“I took only 19 days off in the six months. It was hard but it’s my job and I love it.
“Retiring was never on my mind, I had the mindset of looking forward and take every day at a time.
“It was harder for my family, they suffered a lot because they didn’t feel in control. They helped me a lot.”
Haller and Dortmund team-mates will resume Bundesliga action a week on Sunday, welcoming Augsburg to the Westfalenstadion.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
