Haaland says he is far off Ronaldo and Messi but in ‘good way’ to beat goal tally

<ul><li><p>Striker feels he can better his 56 goals total this season</p></li><li><p>Haaland part of Guardiola’s leadership group at City</p></li></ul><p>Erling Haaland believes he is not close to being on the same level as Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo but the Manchester City striker says he is in “a good way” to beat his best total return of 56 goals in a season.</p><p>After Sunday’s <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/nov/02/manchester-city-bournemouth-premier-league-match-report">3-1 win against Bournemouth</a> Pep Guardiola again <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/sep/18/haaland-with-monsters-ronaldo-and-messi-in-champions-league-50-club-says-guardiola">compared Haaland’s numbers to Messi and Ronaldo</a>, with City’s manager adding how the Argentinean and Portuguese were consistent over “15 seasons”. Haaland was asked if he views himself on the same level. “No, not at all, far off. No one can get close to them, so no,” the 25-year-old said.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/nov/04/erling-haaland-manchester-city-lionel-messi-cristiano-ronaldo">Continue reading...</a>