Haaland’s Humble Perspective
Erling Haaland, the prolific forward for Manchester City, has expressed that he believes he is still a long way from being compared to football legends Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Although Haaland is having an extraordinary season, netting 17 goals across 13 matches—13 of which came from just 10 fixtures in the Premier League—he remains grounded about the high praise he receives.
Modesty Amidst Success
The Norwegian striker’s impressive goal tally has often prompted comparisons to the game’s finest, but Haaland modestly stated,
“No, not at all, far off. No-one can get close to them, so no.”
This was in reference to the iconic duo. As he gears up to face Borussia Dortmund, the club he previously played for, in the impending Champions League match, he remains focused on contributing to his team’s success rather than chasing personal accolades.
Team Over Individual Records
Last season, Haaland set a new record in Premier League scoring with an astounding 36 goals during his first year at the Etihad Stadium, and he seems poised to challenge that record this term. However, he emphasizes that individual records do not motivate him, clarifying that his primary objective is team victories. While he acknowledges the all-time Premier League scoring record held by Alan Shearer—260 goals—his current tally stands at 98. He remarked,
“I don’t really know any records, but this one I know. That’s his [Shearer’s] Premier League record. I can’t think about records I can break. That’s the last thing I think of. I try to help the team win football games. That’s my job and that’s my main focus.”
Leadership and Team Focus
Currently, in his fourth season with Manchester City after his transfer from Dortmund in 2022, Haaland has been entrusted with a leadership role, marking the first time Pep Guardiola has personally selected captains during his managerial tenure. Guardiola has praised Haaland’s down-to-earth attitude despite his remarkable achievements on the field, noting the difficulty of finding elite talent who remain humble.
He stated,
“I know he will score goals and the impact on the team, but I had the feeling that he always had an eye on what is best for the team. That is difficult to find in players of this ability. Erling is like that. It was a surprise because normally strikers just think about goals.”
Looking Ahead
As he continues to excel, the focus for Haaland remains firmly on the team and the upcoming challenges, including the notable match against his former club.
