‘He has the numbers of Messi and Ronaldo…unbelievable’: Pep Guardiola lauds Manchester City’s Erling Haaland

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola hailed striker Erling Haaland and compared the Norwegian’s numbers with the likes of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Manchester City opened their Premier League defence with a 2-0 win against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

Haaland opened the scoring for the Sky Blues, finding the back of the net in the 18th minute. Mateo Kovacic then put the game to bed with his strike in the 84th minute.

Haaland has produced unbelievable numbers for Manchester City, scoring 27 goals and providing five assists in 31 matches of the previous season and thus played a key role in taking the team to glory. The lanky forward scored 36 goals and provided eight assists in 35 matches of the 2022-23 season. 

Furthermore, he scored 12 goals in 11 matches of the UEFA Champions League 2022-23 and helped City win their maiden title. Overall Haaland has scored 91 goals in 100 matches for the Cityzens.

“He has the numbers for Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, who controlled the last decade, 15 years, absolutely everything. In terms of numbers, it is that level. So, I don’t know how he does it, but in 100 games scoring 91 goals is something in the Premier League, in this country, is unbelievable,” stated Guardiola after his side’s 2-0 win over the Blues.

“I had a feeling that he feels better than last season at this stage. After travel last season, he felt a bit ‘mmm-mmm’ [so-so] or felt he was tired. This season, I think for the Euros unfortunately Norway was not there, there was more rest and yeah, he feels good.

“The goal was magnificent. His contribution is in many things. He had two or three chances and always I had the feeling there is a gap to improve as a football player.”

Haaland has been absolutely superb for Manchester City and he will look to keep up the good show in the season. City will next face Ipswich Town at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.