Pep Guardiola highlights where Erling Haaland is doing better than Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo

Pep Guardiola sent a reminder to any Erling Haaland doubters that he’s on track to eclipse Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo for Champions League goals.

A spectacular first season at Manchester City saw Haaland bang in a whopping 52 goals in 53 appearances and break countless records.

It hasn’t been raining goals for Haaland this season, howeverCredit: Getty
This term hasn’t been so fruitful for the Norwegian forward on a personal level with just 21 goals thus far.

He scored his first goal since November 25 during City’s victory over Everton last Saturday, netting both their goals in the 2-0 triumph.

For over a month of that dry patch Haaland was injured, however, four games where he was playing without a goal is unexpected by his very high standards.

But City boss Guardiola isn’t fazed by a perceived lack of goals by Haaland.

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“It looks like I am complaining about Erling but it was in general,” Guardiola said ahead of City’s Champions League clash at FC Copenhagen on Tuesday night, live on talkSPORT.

“If he doesn’t score tomorrow, the day after or next week, it’s not a big issue.

“He’s so strong. It comes from nature. He’s coped perfectly because he’s so strong mentally. He scores one goal and wants a second and a third.

“You see his numbers at his age. In the Champions League not even [Lionel] Messi or Cristiano [Ronaldo] had these numbers at his age.”

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Haaland has 21 goals this season – five in as many appearances in the Champions LeagueCredit: Getty
With 140 goals and 129 strikes respectively in the Champions League, Ronaldo and Messi are a long way ahead of Haaland, who has scored 40 times in Europe’s premier club competition.

But at 23 years old Haaland has time on his side and the numbers firmly suggest he could get past the iconic players.

Before turning 24 in June 2011, Messi had three less than Haaland with 37 goals in the competition, while Ronaldo had just 16 Champions League strikes to his name at the end of the 2008/09 season when he had already turned 24.

Haaland’s 24th birthday isn’t until July so should City go all the way to a second successive European final then that will be ample opportunity for him to boost his stunning average.

Guardiola will be celebrating more goals for Haaland in no timeCredit: Getty
“Erling is young, playing in the most difficult position on the pitch surrounded by four or five players with minor space,” Guardiola added.

“In the first half maybe we didn’t have the special delivery players, like Kevin (De Bruyne) for example, who can find him.

“In that moment he has to be positive. When he scored a goal, he reacted but he doesn’t need to score because he helps us for many things.

“He is defined on goals but it is not just scoring a goal. As much it’s how he is clapping, encouraging his mates and the first intense press. This is what we need from Erling.

“But we cannot forget he has been two months out, which is a lot of time for a guy who is so tall.

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“Back to the dynamic is not easy. He’s a huge competitor who wants to score goals. OK, we know that, so relax.

“If we don’t score today, or if he doesn’t score in 10 minutes, it’s OK. In the process he has to try because the team always wins when they overcome bad moments.”