Haaland, who joined City in 2022, has reached a half-century of دوري أبطال أوروبا goals through just 49 appearances. He required 13 games fewer than ex-Manchester متحد frontman Ruud van Nistelrooy to hit that mark.
At 25 years of age, Haaland is already level with أرسنال great Thierry Henry in ninth spot on the all-time Champions League chart. He is 79 efforts behind برشلونة icon Messi and 90 adrift of former United, ريال مدريد و يوفنتوس superstar رونالدو.
Guardiola expects two GOATs to be chased down, telling reporters when asked about Haaland’s bid to make more history: “In that rhythm, yeah [he can break the record]. He’s not injured, he could play for 10 or 12 more years, and he maintains this progression, absolutely.
“What can I say? The numbers speak for themselves. We are lucky to have him. Just to congratulate him, because he’s alongside goalscorers like Van Nistelrooy, [Robert] Lewandowski, but especially the two monsters Cristiano and Messi for 20 years, for Erling to be there is unbelievable.”
Haaland was on target in City’s 2-0 victory over 10-man Napoli in their first Champions League outing of 2025-26. He now forms part of the Blues’ leadership group, with Guardiola adding on handing more responsibility to his clinical No.9: “It’s a question of play a lot, experience, more important games and his mentality as well.”
Haaland helped City to Champions League glory as part of their Treble triumph in 2022-23. He is committed to a long-term contract at the Etihad Stadium and will hope to pick up many more domestic and continental honours in the years to come.
