Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is convinced that Erling Haaland is talented and long lasting to break the apparently invincible goal-scoring totals of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
On the first day of the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League, the Norwegian striker became the first to be in the 50 goals club of the competition by becoming the fastest player to reach the mark.
When asked following City’s recent European match, Guardiola commended the 25-year-old’s consistency and ability to reinvent the greatest records in football.
Guardiola said he is fine. He could play 10-12 more years, and if he continues doing so, he can surely catch up.
The figures speak volumes. It is unbelievable to achieve 50 goals within such a short period of time and even get along with Van Nistelrooy, Lewandowski, but most of all the two monsters Cristiano and Messi.
Christiano Ronaldo is the leader in the Champions League’s goals list, having already scored 140 goals in his past roles with Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus. Next is Lionel Messi, with 129 goals, all scored by Barcelona.
Although it will take years of continued brilliance to scoop up those figures, the fact that Haaland has started his champions league career on fire leaves no doubt that he might be the next great goal machine in the modern football game.
Should he continue with his shape and fitness, Guardiola feels that the City striker will ultimately not only be able to rival them in terms of their champions league goals, but also to surpass the current record in all time career goals held by Ronaldo.
