Haaland Can Compete with Ronaldo and Messi’s Goal Records

Erling Haaland continues to impress with his extraordinary goal-scoring prowess, prompting Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola to proclaim that the striker can compete with the legendary standards set by Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

Recently, Haaland achieved another milestone, marking the 10th hat trick of his Manchester City career during a 4-1 victory against Ipswich Town. His remarkable tally now stands at 94 goals in just 101 matches since joining the club from Borussia Dortmund in 2022. In the Premier League alone, he has found the back of the net 67 times in 68 appearances.

Guardiola expressed astonishment at Haaland’s output, highlighting that his numbers are “ridiculous.” He emphasized the astonishing nature of these achievements, especially considering Haaland’s age, while drawing parallels to the accomplishments of both Ronaldo and Messi.

“He did it in Salzburg and in Germany; the numbers are ridiculous,” Guardiola remarked. “He can compete in terms of goals with Cristiano and Messi. The numbers are unbelievable at his age. He’s an incredible threat, and hopefully, he can be here for many years.”

Haaland kicked off the current season with a goal in a 2-0 win over Chelsea, and he now has four goals in just two matches, indicating a strong start to the campaign.

In the match against Ipswich, Guardiola fielded a team without key players like Rodri, Kyle Walker, and Phil Foden as they work their way back into form following international duties.

Haaland’s performance this season is particularly notable as he missed the European Championship after Norway failed to qualify. Guardiola noted that the 24-year-old is reaping the benefits of a well-deserved break over the summer.

“I said a few weeks ago, he feels better than in previous seasons,” Guardiola added. “This season, with no Euros, he can relax and arrive fit. We had conversations in the States [during the preseason tour] because I wasn’t pleased with some aspects, and he made adjustments. Of course, he cannot play every game; we know how crucial his numbers are.”