Pep Guardiola insisted Erling Haaland is at the same level as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, following his brace in Manchester City's win over Bournemouth.
Haaland bagged another two goals as Guardiola's side climbed to second place in the Premier League after a 3-1 victory at the Etihad Stadium.
City's number nine is just the third player to ever score two or more goals in four successive Premier League home games, after Robbie Fowler in 1995-96 and Luis Suarez in 2013 (five).
Haaland is also now just two goals away from a century in the English top flight, having only played 107 games in the competition.
The Norway international is well on track to smash the record for fewest games taken to score 100 Premier League goals, with current record holder Alan Shearer reaching that figure in 124 appearances.
And Guardiola believes Haaland's numbers are comparable with two of football's all-time greats.
"We played really good, of course. Again, Erling was decisive," the Spaniard said. "It's a little like when you play with Messi or Cristiano, you know? The influence is so big.
"Has he reached that level? You see the numbers of that guy? Yes, of course he's at their levels of the numbers from Cristiano and Messi.
"The difference of Cristiano and Messi, they have been doing it for 15 years. You see Messi still in MLS, he scores two or three goals every day. Cristiano, in Saudi Arabia, it's the same.
"But [Haaland is] at that level and, without him, it would be tough."
luzceilmu
0
He can reach Ronaldo level not Messi and secondly i agree he's always hungry for goals
unless you are not looking at the goal ratio and games played !!!
vohabimrt
0
He can reach Ronaldo level not Messi and secondly i agree he's always hungry for goals
Ronald scored more goals than Messi. do you know that.
vohabimrt
1
the goat is Ronaldo.
Buaalnuyz
1
no doubt Haaland is the goal machine
Davichi
1
In terms of scoring goals, Pep is probably right. Haaland has reached Messi and Ronaldo's level. However, in terms of overall performance, no one has reached Messi' level that's why he's the GOAT.
Davichi
0
Guardiola only knows the level of Messi. He knows absolutely nothing about Ronaldo.
You should be glad he's including Ronaldo in the same sentence with the GOAT, Messi.
Bruce2019
0
Ronaldo's level yes but not even near messi's level.Guadiola stop filling this guys head
delusional messi fan. you think you know ronaldo and messi better than guadiola?
luzceilmu
0
He can reach Ronaldo level not Messi and secondly i agree he's always hungry for goals
adedefender
0
Guardiola only knows the level of Messi. He knows absolutely nothing about Ronaldo.
husciloprt
1
kkkkkkk what ??? I don't think these words were said by a soccer coach maybe cricket
resadikmpt
3
Ronaldo's level yes but not even near messi's level.Guadiola stop filling this guys head
woabcknptz
0
Erling jus a young cityyyy legend!😂
Mohammed salah1
2
his impact on big games is missing when he corrects that flaw he reached their level
Aseeco
2
That's what happens when Cr7 is your goat 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣Long live king Cr7. ♥️♥️♥️
Cihdeikloy
1
Freakin android. His a humanoid from the future.
decdilpuy
0
He's better than Messi, I'm sure Pep has managed none like him, but please don’t compare him with a God, I understand it's out of excitement but it's scary comparing a mere player to Godnaldo
how old are you, cos u talk shit
jaffarsissoko
3
wow! I think after Messi and Ronaldo retire no we will be asking "who is the goat Haaland or yamal"And it will be always HAALAND.
viuknpsz
0
lol is sometimes the dumbest people choose this app to say things that makes them look real idiotic
Maubcptuyz
0
Of scoring goals not talent!,we can’t even compare his footwork to any of both,worse Messi 🙄
nuscdmopuy
0
Finished Messi and Ronaldo are playing football. Their goals must not be considered. Let the two dry bones join power leagues.
Nubabdlpz
1
You no well at all…what has he achieve?
SuniNadat
1
the next ronaldo
cotbilmsty
1
Nice
nedcdosu
0
omg... He had compared players to messi & cr7 but never said that they had reached level and all
Mcnaughtly
0
Just recently he said Brenado is like messi
Calling players, that you apparently watch every weekend wrong names, shows zero ball knowledge
Mimprtu
0
Guardiola talks what he does no just haaland scored yesterday twice he has reached messi and ronaldo Yamal or nemmar have not reached messi and ronaldo
fueadipyz
0
Just recently he said Brenado is like messi
linadiru
0
IS PURE 9😹😹KANE MBAPPE ARE TOO💥💥KYLIAN FROM A WIN TO WING GOOD WORK BY MADRID BOARD
huubcinoyz
4
Pep was maybe drunk by the tym he said these words
zazbenpyz
1
I love you so great
wemcmpryz
0
pep, please don't lie yourself like
Sovoty
2
I totally agree. These days Haaland is so dependable, just like Messi and Ronaldo were/are. But of course the question now is maintaining that for the next 10/15 years, like Messi and Ronaldo have.
zazbenpyz
0
Wowwwww that's Maverick
did they felt good 🥰🥰🥰
Wocbnopry
0
Yamal can't get closer to haaland ...
zazbenpyz
2
Wowwwww that's Maverick
piwbenst
0
no he cannot reach messi level big lie
tadaceptuz
2
It's true. Without Haaland for Man City, it would be rough for Guardiola and City.
Cisbenstu
0
GOAL JO 952
Fotabcdez
1
Not even closed
QueriisFiasi
0
what crazy numbers are you talking about? the world's top goal scorer is Cr7. It's common sense.
Is that not the same thing. Many have been world top scorer before Cry7. None could do what Messi does.
QueriisFiasi
0
You can be clever but mentally stupid
What would you know. You suffer from tunnelmilitusview.
Cudacenprs
1
wow
ZizoArmani10
1
lol with zero ballon’d’or to show for it, please spare me this nonsense, yes haaland is good and so is mbappe but they’ll never lace the Boots of those two legendary players, at haaland and mbappe’s age CR7 and LM10 already won the balon’d’or multiple times so there’s clearly a huge difference between them
Arjenrobben11
1
Nowhere near the level of both. Consistency would take him there in a few years
Holiness21
4
He is not even at Mbeppe's level [Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]...what did he smoke yesterday
Jiaadeimtu
1
He earns almost 800k what do you expect when you pay him 250k more than 2nd place in prem?
Pubabeipry
1
Of course he is at Cry7's level for the sheer number of goals he scores. But Messi...that's another level. It is almost humanly impossible to score crazy numbers, assist crazy numbers, create play like it has never been done.
You can be clever but mentally stupid
Jowacepsy
0
He disappears against the top 6 EPL clubs
Arsenal?
veecmpsuz
0
Of course he is at Cry7's level for the sheer number of goals he scores. But Messi...that's another level. It is almost humanly impossible to score crazy numbers, assist crazy numbers, create play like it has never been done.
yeah i’m a city fan i but i agree. haaland has crazy numbers and technical ability around goal but messi had it all
veecmpsuz
0
yep