Pep Guardiola backs Erling Haaland to smash Cristiano Ronaldo & Lionel Messi's Champions League record after Man City striker becomes fastest player to reach 50-goal mark

Haaland, who joined City in 2022, has reached a half-century of Champions League goals through just 49 appearances. He required 13 games fewer than ex-Manchester United frontman Ruud van Nistelrooy to hit that mark.

At 25 years of age, Haaland is already level with Arsenal great Thierry Henry in ninth spot on the all-time Champions League chart. He is 79 efforts behind Barcelona icon Messi and 90 adrift of former United, Real Madrid and Juventus superstar Ronaldo.

Guardiola expects two GOATs to be chased down, telling reporters when asked about Haaland’s bid to make more history: "In that rhythm, yeah [he can break the record]. He’s not injured, he could play for 10 or 12 more years, and he maintains this progression, absolutely.

"What can I say? The numbers speak for themselves. We are lucky to have him. Just to congratulate him, because he’s alongside goalscorers like Van Nistelrooy, [Robert] Lewandowski, but especially the two monsters Cristiano and Messi for 20 years, for Erling to be there is unbelievable."

Haaland was on target in City’s 2-0 victory over 10-man Napoli in their first Champions League outing of 2025-26. He now forms part of the Blues’ leadership group, with Guardiola adding on handing more responsibility to his clinical No.9: "It’s a question of play a lot, experience, more important games and his mentality as well."

Haaland helped City to Champions League glory as part of their Treble triumph in 2022-23. He is committed to a long-term contract at the Etihad Stadium and will hope to pick up many more domestic and continental honours in the years to come.