Coach Guardiola believes Haaland will break Ronaldo's record

(Dan Tri) - Erling Haaland reached 50 goals in the Champions League after only 49 matches. That amazing achievement makes coach Pep Guardiola believe that Haaland can completely break Cristiano Ronaldo's record of 140 goals.

Man City striker Erling Haaland continued to smash scoring records, this time in the Champions League, in a 2-0 win over Napoli in the early hours of September 19. Coach Pep Guardiola believes the Norwegian striker can reach the pinnacle of European football.

At the age of 25, Haaland has become the fastest player in Champions League history to reach 50 goals. He only needed 49 appearances to reach this milestone, surpassing the old record of former striker Ruud van Nistelrooy (62 matches). Haaland's 50th goal came from a deft header after Phil Foden's precise pass in the 56th minute.

Haaland celebrates his 50th Champions League goal (Photo: Getty).

“The numbers speak for themselves. He is on par with Van Nistelrooy, Lewandowski, but especially with the two 'monsters' Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi over the last 15, 20 years, Erling can still compare. In terms of goals, it's an unbelievable number," Guardiola said.

Asked if Haaland could surpass Ronaldo's record of 140 Champions League goals, Guardiola did not hesitate to affirm: "If he maintains that pace, he will definitely achieve it. How many more years he can play, I don't know, 10, 12 years, if he maintains this progress, he will definitely succeed."

Alongside Haaland, Guardiola also praised Phil Foden, who put in a fine performance in the game, continuing his impressive form from the 3-0 win over Man Utd on Sunday. Foden is the 2023-24 PFA Player of the Season, having rediscovered his scoring touch after a somewhat lacklustre season.

Foden (right) received the Man of the Match award in Man City's victory (Photo: Getty).

“You can’t imagine how much we missed Phil. The last two games, Phil was the Phil we knew. He played close to Erling in the year we won the fourth title (back in 2024). Phil is the best player in the Premier League,” Guardiola said.

Guardiola added: “It’s dangerous being near the box, and he could have scored one or two more goals. So we’re happy, because I know if he’s happy and his life is stable then his natural, incredible talent will come out.”

Guardiola insisted that Foden had never been under pressure to change his form. “Everyone in our lives needs love, but he is special. There are people who are more sensitive, and he is someone who needs to be embraced, in every aspect, with his friends, with me, with the club. When that happens, Phil reacts as a player,” said the Man City boss.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-thao/hlv-guardiola-tin-haaland-se-xo-do-ky-luc-cua-ronaldo-20250919070420385.htm