I’m ‘far off’ Messi, Ronaldo — Haaland

Manchester City striker, Erling Haaland, has dismissed comparisons between himself and Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo, saying “no-one” will get close to their goalscoring records.

The 25-year-old has scored 26 goals in all competitions for Manchester City and Norway by early November, taking his career total to 327.

Messi, 38, has 892 career goals, while 40-year-old Ronaldo stands at 952 as he aims for 1,000.

Asked if he saw himself on their level, Haaland replied: “No, not at all. I am far off. Nobody can get close to them two, so no.”

Haaland scored 56 goals in the 2022–23 season, his first at Manchester City after joining from Borussia Dortmund. As he prepares to face his former club in the Champions League on Wednesday, he is on course to beat that number if his scoring rate continues.

With 98 goals in 107 Premier League matches, he is close to becoming the fastest player to reach 100 goals in the competition. Alan Shearer set the current record at 124 games and remains the league’s all-time top scorer with 260.

When asked about breaking records, Haaland replied: “Which record? Not to sound arrogant!

“I am in a good way, but I don’t think of this. I don’t really know any records but I know his (Shearer’s Premier League one). Again, it is not something I can think about.

“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 and that is my main focus.

“I know it’s boring, I know you want me to say the complete opposite but that’s not how it is. I have to ignore them.”

Haaland has also scored 53 goals in 51 Champions League games, the fastest to reach that mark. He won the competition in his first season with City, completing a Treble of Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League.

“I am the completely same person from as long as I can remember,” he said. “Nothing has changed. I am still the same kid in some situations and I am still that kid from Bryne but with more experience in life.

“I am a Norwegian guy and I shouldn’t think I am something because I am scoring goals. I am just Erling and this is something that will never change.”

Haaland said helping Norway qualify for a major tournament remains his biggest ambition.

“I have been saying this for a long time — my goal is to take Norway to a World Cup and Euros,” he said.

“This is the main goal in my career and now I have a good chance to do it, so it’s about taking the chances.”

He added that he feels he is still improving as a striker.

“I am developing good,” he said. “I am in a good place, I’m taking good care of myself and I am developing good.”

(BBC Sport)

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