Erling Haaland's goalscoring numbers are “ridiculous”, according to Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, and the Norwegian striker can challenge the standards set by Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
Haaland scored his 10th career City hat-trick in a 4-1 win over Ipswich Town on Saturday.
He now has 94 goals in 101 games in all competitions since joining from Borussia Dortmund in 2022 and a remarkable 67 in 68 Premier League appearances, numbers Guardiola says rival those of two of the greatest players in history, Ronaldo and Messi.
“He did it in Salzburg and in Germany; the numbers are ridiculous,” Guardiola said.
“He can compete in goals with Cristiano and Messi. The numbers are incredible at his age. He is an incredible threat, I hope he can be here for many years.”
After scoring his first goal of the season in a 2-0 win over Chelsea last weekend, Haaland now has four in two games to start the current campaign.
Guardiola has called up a side against Ipswich without Rodri, Kyle Walker and Phil Foden as his international players get back to fitness.
Haaland missed the Euros after Norway failed to qualify and Guardiola said the 24-year-old is feeling the benefit of his extended break over the summer.
“I said it a few weeks ago, it feels better than in previous seasons,” Guardiola said.
“There will be no Euro this season, we have to relax and arrive in good shape. We have spoken a little in the United States. [on the preseason tour] “Because I didn't like some things and he changed. Of course, he can't play every game, we know how important his numbers are.”
