Erling Haaland says no one can match Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, insisting he’s focused on improving himself and scoring goals for Manchester City

Erling Haaland has dismissed comparisons between his remarkable goal-scoring record and those of football icons Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, saying he remains focused on improving his own game.

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Speaking via a post shared by football journalist Fabrizio Romano on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, the Manchester City striker said, “No, not at all! No one can get close to Ronaldo and Messi, so no… I am just Erling, a Norwegian guy scoring goals. That won’t change.”

The 24-year-old’s comments come amid renewed debate over whether his prolific scoring form could eventually see him match or surpass the legendary duo, who have each netted more than 800 career goals.

Since joining Manchester City, Haaland has broken multiple Premier League and Champions League records, earning inevitable comparisons to the two greatest forwards of the modern era.

Currently leading the Premier League scoring charts with 13 goals this season, Haaland will look to extend his tally when Manchester City host Borussia Dortmund at the Etihad in their next Champions League fixture.

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Despite the mounting hype, the Norwegian striker’s humility and focus on continuous improvement have continued to endear him to fans and pundits alike — reinforcing his reputation as one of football’s brightest and most grounded stars.