Erling Haaland is in excellent form in his rookie season with Manchester City.
The Norwegian forward became the torмent of every defense. He has eclipsed the record for most goals scored in a single Premier League season (36 goals) and is attempting to lead Man City to the first treble in history.
Is Haaland, however, comparable to Messi and Ronaldo at the same age, based on his career thus far? Let’s examine the past with Sporting News.
22-year-old Haaland, Messi, and Ronaldo scored goals
The best method to determine whether Haaland has come close to Messi and Ronaldo’s goal-scoring records is to compare his 22-year-old accomplishмents with those of Messi and Ronaldo.
Haaland has tallied 187 goals in 230 appearances, including 98 goals in 100 games in the top five European leagues. In addition, Haaland has scored 21 goals in 23 appearances for the Norwegian national team in his international career.
Haaland has scored 208 goals in 253 matches, and coach Pep Guardiola recently acknowledged, “Haaland is a top goalscorer, we have lived two incredible decades with Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, and he’s on that level.”
Comparing Haaland’s scoring record to those of Ronaldo and Messi, Pep’s stateмents are justified. Messi has scored 140 goals in all competitions at the age of 22, while Ronaldo has scored 102.
Haaland’s 23rd birthday is on July 21, 2023, so he still has time to improve his scoring record.
Not content to stop there, Haaland also possesses additional records. The Norway international became the second youngest player in history to achieve 200 career goals at the age of 22 years and 261 days, surpassing Neymar’s previous record by less than five days.
Haaland also eclipsed the record for most goals scored in a single Premier League season (36) with relative ease, surpassing Alan Shearer and Andy Cole, who had previously held the record at the age of 34, and no other player in the competition. history of scoring 25 Champions League goals quicker than Haaland, who has only scored 20.
The title of Haaland, Messi, and Ronaldo at the age of 22
In this regard, Haaland cannot compete with his two elders.
Messi is an integral part of the most illustrious period in Barcelona’s history. At age 23, the Argentine legend won eleven titles. These included the 2009 Champions League and an unprecedented treble.
Messi won his first Ballon d’Or at the age of 22 and is also the recipient of the FIFA World Player of the Year award.
Ronaldo has won five titles in professional football at the same point in his career as Haaland, who presently has four but could add three more if City wins the treble. English Premier League, Champions League, and FA Cup history.
Haaland’s international career, Messi vs Ronaldo at the age of 22
Haaland is still behind Ronaldo and Messi in international scoring records.
The 22-year-old striker has 21 goals in just 23 appearances for Norway. Haaland will average one goal every eighty minutes. This accomplishмent places him eighth on the list of the finest goal scorers in Norwegian мen‘s football history.
Ronaldo scored 20 goals for Portugal at the same age. With 198 goals, Ronaldo is presently the greatest scorer in national team history. At the age of 22, Messi scored 13 goals for Argentina. Messi recently lead Argentina to victory at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Haaland, Messi, and Ronaldo in the 22-year-old season
Finally, compare the accomplishмents of Haaland, Ronaldo, and Messi at the age of 22. According to the statistics, Haaland is not inferior to two contemporary football legends.
Messi won the UEFA Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup, Super Cup, and La Liga with Barcelona during his 22nd year, while Ronaldo won the Premier League with Manchester United.
If Manchester City wins the treble this year, Haaland will undoubtedly have a season superior to Ronaldo and Messi at the same age.