In lifting the prestigious prize, the City and Norway striker saw off formidable competition from the rest of a six-strong shortlist which was drawn up by a public vote.
The rest of the contenders comprised of iconic American gymnast Simone Biles, Spain and Barcelona superstar Aitana Bonmati, tennis legend Novak Djokovic, South Africa’s rugby union captain Siya Kolasi and Formula One world champion Max Verstappen.
Formerly known as the BBC Overseas Sports Personality of the Year, the award, which was established in 1960, honours a non-British sport star adjudged to have made the most substantial contribution to their sport in a chosen year.
Few could deny that City’s Norwegian striker achieved just that across the course of what as a historic and record breaking first season at the Etihad for Haaland.
Having joined City from Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2022, Haaland went on to enjoy a stunning inaugural campaign at the Etihad with his goals proving pivotal in the Club’s historic Treble campaign.
Arguably, no player has made a bigger instant impact on the Premier League with Haaland breaking a host of records along the way to helping City claim a third successive league title along with securing the FA Cup and Champions League.
Haaland’s total of 52 goals in a season was the most in all competitions by a player at a Premier League club and the most by any City player in our illustrious 129-year history.
The 23-year-old also set a new Premier League record by registering 36 goals, claiming six hat-tricks along the way, while he was also the top scorer in the Champions League, scoring 12 goals as City won the prized European trophy for the first time.
Erling has maintained that prolific scoring rate across the first half of the 2023/24 campaign, so far having registered 19 goals from 22 appearances, along the way helping City claim the 2023 UEFA Super Cup back in August.
Now his sights are trained on helping City seek to lift the FIFA Club World Cup with Haaland out in Saudi Arabia for the prestigious global tournament as part of Pep Guardiola’s squad in Jeddah.
It’s the latest in a series of prestigious individual awards for the 23-year-old who was also this year voted as the PFA Players’ Player of the Year, the FWA Footballer of the Year, the Premier League Player of the Season and Manchester City Player of the Season.
More latterly, Haaland was also awarded the Gerd Muller Trophy at the Ballon d’Or awards held in Paris in late October, which is awarded to the top striker of the past European season for club and country.
Commenting on receiving this latest prize, Erling said: “This another huge honour for me and I am very proud to have been named the BBC World Sport Star of the Year.
“I am especially grateful to have been voted ahead of an incredible group of athletes who are all legends in their individual sports.
“I would like to thank all my teammates, as well as Pep Guardiola and the City coaching staff as without all of them I wouldn’t have been able to score the number of goals I have.
“To be recognised in this way by everyone who enjoys sport is a very special feeling and I would like to thank everyone who voted for me.
“As a club at Manchester City created some incredible memories last season, but now we want to do the same again this year.
“Thank you once again.”
Erling succeeds Lionel Messi, who was awarded the prize last year after captaining Argentina to the 2022 World Cup.
Haaland also takes his place amongst other noteworthy recipients down the years including boxing icon Muhammad Ali and sprint legend Usain Bolt who both won it on three occasions.
Everyone at Manchester City would like to congratulate Erling on his latest prestigious award.
