After another match-winning double for Manchester City, the Norwegian goal machine draws historic praise from his manager, who compares his decisive impact to that of the two modern legends.
In the wake of another dominant performance from Erling Haaland, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has made a stunning declaration, placing his star striker in the same rarefied air as all-time greats Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Haaland’s two goals propelled City to a 3-1 victory over Bournemouth at the Etihad Stadium, solidifying his lead in the Premier League scoring race with 11 goals this season. He now sits just two goals away from a remarkable personal milestone: 100 in the English top flight.
But while his goals have kept City in the title hunt, Guardiola’s post-match comments focused on a different kind of achievement. He suggested that Haaland’s sheer reliability in front of goal has elevated him to the legendary status of Messi and Ronaldo in their prime.
“When you play with Messi or Cristiano, you know the influence is so big. It’s a little like that with Erling,” Guardiola mused. “Has he reached that level? You see the numbers? Oh my God, yeah.”
The manager was quick to acknowledge the one key difference: longevity. “The difference is that Cristiano and Messi have been doing it for 15 years,” he said, noting their continued scoring feats in MLS and Saudi Arabia. “But he’s at that level. Without him, it would be tough.”
Guardiola went on to highlight the striker’s mindset as the engine of his success. “The way he shoots the ball… it’s like he’s saying, ‘I’m going to score,'” Guardiola explained. “He is incredibly coachable, completely down to earth, and he lives for the goals.”
The victory sets the stage for a titanic clash next Sunday as City host Liverpool in a match that could define the primary challenger to league-leaders Arsenal. Guardiola admitted his team is chasing the Gunners but believes his squad is steadily improving. “Hopefully Arsenal can concede one goal one day,” he joked, before adding, “I feel the team is getting better and better.”
Haaland, with 98 goals in just 107 games, is on track to shatter the record for the fastest player to reach 100 Premier League goals, currently held by Alan Shearer (124 games).
The celebratory mood was slightly tempered by Guardiola’s frustration with referee Anthony Taylor, suggesting a contentious decision that led to Bournemouth’s goal was part of a familiar pattern. “I’ve been here a decade, and we know each other quite well,” he said pointedly. “I’m so pleased with what we have achieved at Man City despite everything.”
With his name now uttered in the same breath as football’s most prolific icons, the conversation around Erling Haaland has undeniably shifted from superstar to legend-in-the-making.
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