Guardiola Predicts Haaland Can Break Champions League Scoring Record

Pep Guardiola has expressed confidence that Erling Haaland can become the all-time leading scorer in the UEFA Champions League after the Norwegian striker set a new record for the fastest player to reach 50 goals in the competition. Haaland achieved this milestone during Manchester City’s match against Napoli, scoring the opening goal and reaching the landmark in just 49 appearances. This achievement surpasses the previous record held by Ruud van Nistelrooy by an impressive 13 matches.

The 25-year-old forward’s scoring prowess is evident as he now shares ninth place in the all-time Champions League goal tally with Thierry Henry. Nevertheless, Haaland still trails behind the records set by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, with 79 and 90 goals, respectively. Guardiola believes that if Haaland continues his current trajectory, he has a strong chance of breaking these longstanding records.

“In that rhythm, yeah, he can break the record,” Guardiola stated after City’s 2-0 victory over Napoli on October 4, 2023. “He’s not injured, he could play for 10 or 12 more years, and if he maintains this progression, absolutely.” Guardiola emphasized the significance of having Haaland on his team, acknowledging his exceptional performance alongside renowned scorers such as Van Nistelrooy and Robert Lewandowski, while also highlighting the dominance of Messi and Ronaldo over the last two decades.

Haaland has already made a significant impact this season, netting six goals in just five matches. Guardiola noted that the striker has enhanced his game further this year, having been included in City’s four-man leadership group. This additional responsibility seems to have fueled Haaland’s development as he gains valuable experience in high-stakes matches.

“It’s a question of playing a lot, experience, more important games and his mentality as well,” Guardiola explained. His remarks underline the importance of leadership and growth in a player’s career, especially for someone as young and talented as Haaland.

As Manchester City continues its campaign in the Champions League, the football world will undoubtedly keep a close watch on Haaland’s pursuit of further records. With Guardiola’s backing and Haaland’s current form, fans can expect to see more remarkable performances from the striker in the coming matches.