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ERLING HAALAND HUMBLY SAYS MESSI, RONALDO REMAIN OUT OF REACH

Erling Haaland humbly dismisses comparisons to Messi & Ronaldo, saying "no one" can match their records. The Man City star instead focuses on team success and his ultimate career goal: qualifying for a major tournament with Norway.

Erling Haaland humbly says Messi, Ronaldo remain out of reach
Haaland compares himself honestly to Messi, Ronald - Photo Credit: Getty Images

Claiming that "no one" will ever surpass Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo's goalscoring records, Erling Haaland has downplayed parallels between himself and the modern football greats.

By early November, the 25-year-old has scored 26 goals for Manchester City and Norway across all competitions, bringing his career total to 327.

However, Haaland lags well below the renowned pair's accomplishments.

The 40-year-old Portuguese superstar Ronaldo is on 952 goals as he approaches 1,000 in his storied career, while 38-year-old Argentina legend Messi has 892 goals overall.

"No, not at all," Haaland said when asked if he thought he was on par with the illustrious combination. I am a long way off. No, no one can approach those two.

The City attacker had his best season to date in 2022–2023 with 56 goals, his first at the club after arriving from Borussia Dortmund.

However, if Haaland keeps up his current scoring pace as he gets ready to play his old team in their Champions League match on Wednesday at 20:00 GMT, he is on track to surpass that enormous sum.

He is getting close to being the fastest player to reach a century of English top-flight goals, with 98 goals in 107 Premier League outings thus far.

Alan Shearer, the former captain of England, set that record at 124 games and now holds the top spot in the league charts with 260.

Haaland has a "great opportunity" of breaking the record, according to Shearer, who previously played for Southampton, Blackburn, and Newcastle.

Haaland said, however, when asked if he will beat his own record this term: "Which record? Not to come across as cocky!

"In the 2022–2023 season, I had 57 overall, including with the national team. I am doing well, but I do not consider this.

"I know Shearer's Premier League record, but I do not really know any others. Once more, I am incapable of thinking about it.

"I strive to assist the team in winning football games, and I am not thinking about breaking records. That is my primary emphasis and my work.

"You want me to say the exact opposite, but that is not how things are. I realise it is dull. I must disregard them.

In just 51 Champions League games, Haaland has scored 53 goals, making him the player who has reached the half-century mark the quickest.

In his debut season with City, he helped the team win the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League, and he also won Europe's top club championship.

He went on to say, "I am the same guy from as long as I can remember." "Not much has altered. Even though I have more life experience, I am still that child from Bryne in some circumstances.

"I am a Norwegian man, so just because I am scoring goals does not mean I am something. This will always be the case, and I am just Erling."

In addition, Haaland is poised to assist Norway in winning their first World Cup since 1998—"two years before I was born," he stated.

"My objective is to lead Norway to a World Cup and Euros," he continued. "I have been saying this for a long time."

"It is about taking the opportunities because this is my career's main aim and I have a strong chance of achieving it today."

And when Haaland declared that he was "absolutely" improving as a striker, it was a dire message to opposing defenders.

Adding, "I am developing good," "My health is good, I am taking good care of myself, and I am growing well."

MAN CITY TARGETS FOREST MIDFIELDER ELLIOT ANDERSON IN TRANSFER RAID

Manchester City is reportedly interested in signing Nottingham Forest's dynamic midfielder Elliot Anderson next year. The 23-year-old would add quality to Guardiola's midfield.

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Man City Prepares Bid for Elliot Anderson Next Year

According to a recent report in The Daily Mail, Manchester City is interested in Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson. Word is, the Manchester club might try to bring the English player to Etihad Stadium next year.

Anderson is playing well this season, putting up some nice performances for Nottingham in the middle of the field. So far, the 23-year-old has one goal and one assist in 16 games for the club in all competitions.

He has done a good job protecting the defence, with 33 tackles, 20 blocks, 12 interceptions, and 12 clearances in the Premier League. He has also been accurate with his passing, completing 83.2% of his passes in the league (stats via fbref.com).

His contract with Nottingham Forest runs through the summer of 2029, so Man City will need to make a good offer if they really want to sign him next year.

Is Anderson a Smart Move for Manchester City Manager Pep Guardiola?

Anderson has a lot of energy in the midfield. He likes to tackle and can make important interceptions.

He will also clear the ball when needed. Anderson mainly plays as a box-to-box midfielder, but he can also play as a number ten or as a left-winger. With his Premier League experience, he should not need much time to settle in at Man City.

Anderson would definitely add quality to Guardiola’s midfield. He has the potential to compete for a starting spot at the Etihad Stadium in the years to come.

At 23, Anderson’s best years are ahead of him, making him a solid choice for Man City in the future. He is already good enough to help them compete on all fronts. Guardiola should seriously consider trying to sign him this winter or at the end of the season.

PEP GUARDIOLA EXPLAINS WHY FARKE WAS 'RILED' BY CITY'S TACTIC

Pep Guardiola admitted he was "relieved" after Phil Foden's stoppage-time winner saved Man City from a Leeds United comeback. The boss analysed the emotional rollercoaster at the Etihad.

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Guardiola Details Change That Riled Farke After Chaotic Win

Manchester City's coach saw his team grab a late win after Leeds United's impressive comeback in the second half.

Pep Guardiola said he was relieved because his Manchester City team responded well to win after Leeds United came back from a two-goal deficit to tie the game at the Etihad.

Leeds was down 2-0 at halftime. Daniel Farke switched up his formation, and Dominic Calvert-Lewin's entrance gave Leeds a stronger presence up front. Calvert-Lewin scored and then earned a penalty, which Lukas Nmecha converted to level the score. But Phil Foden scored in the 91st minute, breaking Leeds' hearts and securing the points for Manchester City.

"I was relieved," Guardiola said. The game wasn't perfect in the second half. It should have been over already, given the chances we had. Daniel changed the system. We gave a goal away. The way we move has to change. At that point, emotions are high. We let in a second goal, but we responded well. We put more players in the box. In the end, Phil's quality made the difference again, helping us win.

Guardiola mentioned Calvert-Lewin's goal, which came in the 49th minute, and the game, as well as how the forward's presence impacted the game. We gave up a goal quickly, he said. Football is about emotions. When Calvert-Lewin plays with Nmecha, it's two against two, and the space is totally different.

The Manchester City coach was also questioned about an incident in the second half when Gianluigi Donnarumma went down and needed treatment for an injury. Guardiola immediately called all of his outfield players for a quick talk. Leeds was in control at that moment, and Farke questioned whether it was fair, even if he didn't want to criticise Guardiola.

To be honest, I didn't speak with Gianluigi Donnarumma, Guardiola said. I told James Trafford to warm up. I honestly don't know what happened. You can ask me next time; I'll ask Donnarumma if he was injured.

I'd love to have a timeout every time. I'm sure if we do that again, the Premier League will fine us again, so it's best if we don't.

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