Erling Haaland: Man City striker plays down Lionel Messi-Cristiano Ronaldo comparisons
The City striker scored 56 goals in the 2022-23 season, his first goal for the club after joining from Borussia Dortmund in what was his most prolific season to date.
But Haaland is on track to surpass that huge figure if he maintains his current goalscoring rate as he prepares to face his former club in the Champions League on Wednesday (20:00 GMT).
The player, who has made 98 appearances in 107 Premier League matches so far, is approaching becoming the fastest player to reach England’s top-flight century goals.
Former England captain Alan Shearer broke the record with 124 appearances and leads the all-time league charts with 260.
Shearer, who played for Southampton, Blackburn and Newcastle in his career, said the following about Haaland last month: Has a “great chance” to break the record, external.
However, when asked if he could surpass his own record this term, Haaland replied: “Which record? I don’t want to sound arrogant!
“I was a total of 57 people with the national team” [in the 2022-23 season]. I’m on a good path, but I’m not thinking about it.
“I don’t actually know any records, but I know his (Shearer’s Premier League record). “Again, it’s not something I can think about.
“Thinking about the records I can break is the last thing on my mind, I’m trying to help the team win football games. That’s my job and my main focus.”
“I know it’s boring, I know you want me to say the opposite, but it’s not like that. I should just ignore them.”
