The football world is abuzz with news of Erling Haaland’s impressive performances for Manchester City. The young Norwegian striker has already surpassed all expectations, becoming the club’s all-time top scorer in a single season and drawing comparisons to the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi from none other than his coach, Pep Guardiola.
Haaland’s latest display of prowess came in a 4-1 victory against Southampton, where he scored an incredible brace, including a spectacular overhead kick that had fans and critics alike in awe. Along with Haaland’s goals, Jack Grealish and Julian Alvarez also scored to secure the win for City.
Haaland has an incredible 30 goals in 27 Premier League matches in his debut season and might add another 10 in the final nine games of the season.
What did Pep Guardiola say?
Guardiola, on the other hand, has stated firmly that, while Haaland has exceptional talent, Lionel Messi is the most balanced player in the game.
Guardiola spoke about this after the game, “In terms of the thesis of scoring goals. He’s quite similar in terms of Cristiano but Messi is the more complete player.”
Pep Guardiola on the comparison of Haaland to Messi and Ronaldo đŸ—£ pic.twitter.com/skY4iHv85k
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) April 9, 2023
While comparisons to Ronaldo are flattering, it’s evident that Guardiola still considers Messi to be the greatest player in football. He added, “Messi can play wherever while Cristiano and Erling are machines. Erling knows those two guys dominated over two decades not just one or two seasons, winning titles and doing everything. Football is a better place for Cristiano and Messi for what they have done for our business, and the traction of these two guys competing at the big clubs.”
“Erling is arriving in the toughest league in the world. I can talk as I’ve been in other leagues and doing what he has done is remarkable.”
What next for City and Haaland?
Haaland may still play in up to nine more Premier League matches and, if he continues to score at his current rate, could add another ten goals before the season ends.
That would bring Haaland’s total to 40, breaking Andy Cole’s (1993/94) and Alan Shearer’s (1994/95) single-season Premier League record of 34. Those records were set throughout the course of a 42-game season. Mohamed Salah holds the current record for most goals in a 38-game season with 32.
City, the reigning Premier League champions, are still six points behind the league leaders, Arsenal, who were held to a 2-2 draw at Liverpool today. The Citizens will end the week having played one more game than their title rivals.
Guardiola’s City could end up winning the Premier League three consecutive times and Guardiola’s fifth overall. Manchester City will now host Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Thursday as part of the first leg of the quarter final stage. They will then resume their title charge when they face Leicester City on Saturday.
