"I am just Erling" - Manchester City star Erling Haaland addresses comparison to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo with response

Erling Haaland has shared his thoughts on being compared to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. He said that these are far off and added that he just scores goals.

Haaland has broken numerous goalscoring records over the years, especially since joining Manchester City from Borussia Dortmund in 2022. He broke the record for most goals in one Premier League season with 36 goals in 35 games in his debut season. He also helped City win the treble.

Haaland's exploits have seen many, including Pep Guardiola, compare his impact to Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. Addressing these comparisons, the Norwegian striker said in a press conference on Tuesday (h/t Fabrizio Romano):

“No, not at all! No one can get close to them two, so no… I am just Erling, a Norwegian guy scoring goals. That won’t change.”

Cristiano Ronaldo is the all-time top goalscorer in men's football with 952 goals for clubs and country. He is chasing the 1000-mark despite being 40 now. Lionel Messi, meanwhile, has scored 892 goals for clubs and country, and is also going strong at 38.

---

Pep Guardiola likens Erling Haaland to Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi

Haaland has been in incredible form this season, recording 17 goals and one assist in 13 games across competitions for Manchester City. Overall, he's scored 26 goals for City and Norway this campaign.

The 25-year-old scored a brace to help the Cityzens beat Bournemouth 3-1 at home in the Premier League on Sunday, November 2. In the post-match press conference, Pep Guardiola likened Haaland to Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, saying:

"This is what it’s like if you play with Messi or Ronaldo, his influence is so big. You see the numbers of that guy? Of course, he’s that level. Messi and Ronaldo have done it for 15 years, but this is the level. The first goal, the way he shoots the ball, it’s like, ‘I am going to score’. He has that hunger. It’s top. I said how incredibly coachable and manageable he is."

"I am tough sometimes with Haaland, but he is open-minded. He lives for the goals and sometimes the pressure cannot sustain 90 minutes, but that’s normal. Without him, it would be tough to be honest, but we are lucky that Omar [Marmoush] is back, and we have fit players. It’s good," he added.

Haaland has scored over 300 goals for Norway and the likes of Manchester City, Borussia Dortmund, etc.