Pep Guardiola elevates Haaland to the level of Messi and Cristiano

Erling Haaland continues to dazzle in the 2025/2026 season. With 13 goals in 10 Premier League matches, the Norwegian tops the scoring charts and his impact at Manchester City is already considered historic. After the victory against Bournemouth, where he scored a brace, Pep Guardiola did not hesitate to compare his striker to the legendary Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

"It’s like playing with Messi or Cristiano; his influence is enormous. It’s clear we need other players to score, but he takes the team to another level," the Spanish coach said after the match.

Haaland’s influence on the pitch

Guardiola emphasized that Haaland’s presence is measured not only by goals but by how he transforms the entire team’s play. "The way he struck the first goal… he just knows he will score. He has that hunger. It’s incredible to work with him," he added. For the manager, Haaland is not just a scorer, but a leader on the field who inspires and demands the best from his teammates.

Numbers backing the comparison

So far this season, Haaland has 20 goals in 17 matches across the Premier League, Champions League, and Club World Cup. Since joining Manchester City, he has totaled 141 goals in 159 appearances, adding 22 assists. At 25 years old, the ‘Android’ has already surpassed 320 goals including his time at Molde, RB Salzburg, Borussia Dortmund, Manchester City, and the Norway national team.

With these numbers, it’s no surprise that Guardiola places him among the greatest of all time: "Messi and Cristiano have done it for 15 years, and they are still scoring in the United States and Saudi Arabia. Haaland is at that level, yes," the coach stated.

Future challenges for the Norwegian

The big question now is whether Haaland can maintain this level over the next decade and cement himself as one of the greatest players ever. His hunger for goals, discipline, and openness to criticism make him a unique talent in recent football history, and Guardiola acknowledges that without him, City would lose a key part of their offensive identity.

The Norwegian ‘Android’ not only shines for his goals but for his overall impact on the team, and the Premier League closely watches each step of a talent that could define an era comparable to Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.