Manchester City’s goal machine, Erling Haaland, has poured cold water on comparisons linking him to football greats Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, a view recently expressed by his manager, Pep Guardiola.
Following City’s 3–1 Premier League win over Bournemouth on Sunday, Guardiola had hailed Haaland’s scoring prowess, placing the Norwegian striker in the same conversation as the two global icons, both multiple Ballon d’Or winners.
But the 24-year-old forward, known for his brutal efficiency in front of goal, was quick to dismiss the comparison, insisting that Messi and Ronaldo exist in a league of their own.
Speaking ahead of Manchester City’s UEFA Champions League clash against his former club Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday, Haaland told journalist Fabrizio Romano:
“No, not at all! No one can get close to them, so no. I am just Erling, a Norwegian guy scoring goals. That won’t change.”
Haaland’s modesty stands in contrast to his meteoric rise in European football, where his record-breaking goal tallies have already drawn global admiration. Yet, the striker maintains that Messi and Ronaldo, whose rivalry defined an era, remain unmatched benchmarks in the sport.
While Guardiola may see shades of greatness in his prolific striker, Haaland’s response is a reminder of humility in an age of hype. As the Champions League nights return, fans will watch to see whether “just Erling” continues his relentless pursuit of goals, and, perhaps unknowingly, of history itself.