Overview
- Pep Guardiola said Haaland is so effective that City cannot play with a false nine and outlined plans to limit his running to manage workload.
- Erling Haaland dismissed parallels with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, saying he is "just Erling" and that "no one can get close" to them.
- Haaland reiterated that records are not his priority, noting he knows of Alan Shearer’s 260-goal Premier League mark but is focused on team results.
- The striker has 26 goals in 16 appearances for club and country this season, including a brace in Sunday’s 3-1 win over Bournemouth, and next faces former club Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League.
- Guardiola promoted Haaland to City’s leadership group and praised his humility, while Haaland said becoming a father last December has brought greater balance off the pitch.