Haller celebrates Africa Cup triumph, but peace now in focus

Sébastien Haller shared an Instagram post from Hiroshima on September 21, referring to the “Peace Wall” of his new stadium. The pinned post recalls the biggest moment of his career – the victory in the 2024 Africa Cup final, which he himself secured with the decisive goal against Nigeria.

Africa Cup Victory and Personal Highlight

On his Instagram profile this triumph appears as the only pinned post. Haller marked it as the pinnacle of his career, as his goal in the final against Nigeria gave the Ivory Coast its first Africa Cup win in years. The celebration was described by sources as “huge” and “great joy”.

Immediately afterwards, on World Peace Day, September 21, Haller shared messages from the Peace Wall at his new club’s stadium in Hiroshima. It reads: “Thanks to football I will work for peace and from this island will proclaim a declaration for world peace!”

New Beginning in Hiroshima and Farewell to Dortmund

When Haller moved to Borussia Dortmund in the summer 2022 after an outstanding season with Ajax Amsterdam, he was meant to compensate for the loss of Erling Haaland. Shortly after the transfer, however, a malignant testicular tumor was diagnosed, requiring chemotherapy and two surgeries.

After a 176‑day treatment, Haller returned to the pitch for the BVB for the first time and scored his first Bundesliga goal against Freiburg on World Cancer Day. The goal marked his comeback after a long health crisis.

Only a few months later, Haller missed a penalty on the final matchday in the 2:2 draw against Mainz, causing Borussia Dortmund to miss out on the championship. This was followed by further injuries and the loss of his regular spot.

In early 2024, Haller celebrated with the Ivory Coast what may be the greatest triumph of his career, when he again scored the decisive goal against Nigeria in the 2024 Africa Cup final. That strike gave the team the title and confirmed Haller as a world‑class scorer.

In August 2025 Haller’s chapter at Borussia Dortmund came to a definitive end. After not being used for the BVB in the pre‑season, he was first loaned to CD Leganés and then to FC Utrecht, before moving to Utrecht permanently in the summer. Former BVB sporting director Sebastian Kehl commented: “Sébastien has written a special story here.”

Today Haller is 32 years old and looks back on a career marked by spectacular successes and serious setbacks. His message from Hiroshima shows that he now wants to make an impact not only on the sporting field but also in society.