How does Erling Haaland compare to Messi and Ronaldo?

Another weekend, another Manchester City victory, and another hat-trick for Erling Haaland. The Norwegian has begun the new season in incredible form, hitting seven goals in the first three games of 2024/25.

He looks set up for another historic season with City, and is even on track to outscore some of the game’s most illustrious names. Still only 24 years old, Haaland has scored 230 goals in 262 club games. This puts him ahead of Lionel Messi (203 goals) and Cristiano Ronaldo (132) at the same age.

Of course Haaland is much more of a pure No. 9 that either Messi or Ronaldo and does not offer as much outside of his goal-getting exploits. In fact, both Messi and Ronaldo were largely fielded as wingers in the early years of their careers.

Nevertheless, if Haaland can continue his incredible rate of scoring and continues to play as late into his career as Messi and CR7, he is on track to beat their scoring tallies.

What did Pep Guardiola say about Erling Haaland?

No one is as aware of Haaland’s ability as the man who has integrated him into this Manchester City team. City boss Pep Guardiola has had plenty of opportunity to praise the Norwegian in recent years and he did so again on Saturday.

Guardiola told the BBC: “No words... It surprises me every time. It’s really unbelievable, because every goal he scores is different. For me as a manager, we just want to give as many balls as possible across the box.”

Haaland’s treble against West Ham United on Saturday was his eighth hat-trick in the Premier League. An astonishing tally given that’s he’s only just embarking on his third season in the English top flight. In all competitions, he has hit 11 hat-tricks for City.