Manchester
City striker Erling Haaland has dismissed comparisons with football legends
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Manchester, UK — Insisting that “no-one” will
match their historic goalscoring feats — a rare dose of humility in an era of
relentless football metrics.
The
25-year-old Norwegian has already netted 327 career goals across club and
international competitions — including 26 this season for City and Norway by
early November. Yet, by his own admission, those numbers remain “far off” from
the unreachable records of the two global icons.
The
Numbers: Titans Beyond Reach
To
date, Lionel Messi, 38, has scored 892 career goals, while Cristiano Ronaldo,
now 40, leads with 952, as he continues his pursuit of the 1,000-goal
milestone.
“No, not at all. I am far off. Nobody can get close to them two, so no,”
— Erling Haaland, speaking to reporters ahead of City’s Champions League clash.
This
candid statement underlines Haaland’s awareness of football’s historical scale,
even as he redefines it in real time.
Haaland’s
debut season at Manchester City (2022–23) was a phenomenon: 56 goals, the
highest in Europe. With 98 goals in 107 Premier League appearances, he now
stands just two dozen strikes away from reaching the century mark faster than
any player in English football history.
Alan
Shearer — the all-time Premier League top scorer with 260 goals — remarked
recently that Haaland has “a brilliant chance” of breaking his record.
Still,
the striker insists that personal milestones don’t drive him:
“Thinking about records I can break is the last thing on my mind. I try to help the team win football games. That is my job.”
— Erling Haaland
National
Ambition: Norway’s Long-Awaited Return
Beyond
club glory, Haaland’s “main career goal” remains leading Norway to their first
World Cup since 1998 — two years before he was born.
“My goal is to take Norway to a World Cup and Euros. This is the main goal in my career, and now I have a good chance to do it.”
— Haaland, on his international aspirations.
Together
with captain Martin Ødegaard, Norway sits on the brink of qualification for the
2026 World Cup — a historic opportunity for a generation long overshadowed in
global tournaments.
Evolution
of a Phenomenon
Haaland,
who became the fastest player ever to reach 50 Champions League goals (in 51
matches), remains self-aware about his development.
“I am the same kid from Bryne with more experience. I’m in a good place, taking care of myself, and I’m developing well.”
— Erling Haaland
His
words suggest not a superstar detached from reality, but an athlete grounded in
purpose and progress.
The
New Era of Football Humility
In
a landscape often dominated by social-media-driven narratives and individual
celebration, Haaland’s insistence on team focus and humility stands out. His
comments may redefine how modern football greatness is perceived — not as
rivalry with legends, but as continuation of legacy through evolution.
By
María Pérez | Editor-in-Chief
Date: 04/11/2025