Pep Guardiola is right: Erling Haaland is on Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo's level when it comes to goal-scoring – and he hasn't even reached his peak
Getty After a rejuvenating summer break from the game, the Norwegian is already surpassing his schedule in his mission to outscore two of the modern game’s greatest players.
Earlier this year, Erling Haaland was asked whether he would have to wait for Lionel Messi to retire for him to start winning the Ballon d'Or and The FIFA Best awards. The Norwegian was unsure, but was happy to hail Messi as the greatest player of all time.
Messi has secured eight Ballons d’Or and it may be impossible to surpass his record even after he retires. Messi seems poised to be the benchmark long after he concludes his career, similar to Cristiano Ronaldo, who has won the Golden Ball five times.
But just a few days ago, Pep Guardiola was happy to put Haaland on the same pedestal as the two players who are largely regarded as the best players of the 21st century, albeit with an important caveat.
Haaland had just scored the first goal of City's Premier League campaign, just as he did in the previous two seasons, with Chelsea the victims this time. It was the Norwegian's 91st goal in 100 games at City, and Guardiola gave that moment to shower him with the highest praise of all.
