'Two monsters' - Pep Guardiola makes Erling Haaland prediction after Man City striker breaks Champions League record

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Erling Haaland scored Manchester City's first goal as the Blues beat Napoli 2-0 in the Champions League at the Etihad.

Pep Guardiola has backed Erling Haaland to become the Champions League’s record scorer after the Norwegian goal machine became the fastest to 50 goals in the competition.

Haaland scored Manchester City’s opener against Napoli to reach the landmark after just 49 appearances, shattering Ruud van Nistelrooy’s record by 13 games.

The 25-year-old is now level with Thierry Henry in ninth place for goals in the Champions League, but he is still 79 behind Lionel Messi and 90 off Cristiano Ronaldo’s record.

But Guardiola is sure Haaland can beat their landmarks if he maintains the remarkable standards he is setting at the Etihad. His strike in the 2-0 Champions League win against the Serie A champions took him to six goals in five games this season.

“In that rhythm, yeah [he can break the record],” said the City boss. “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, Lewandowski, but especially the two monsters Cristiano and Messi for 20 years, for Erling to be there is unbelievable.”

Guardiola believes Haaland has improved his game this season. He has been added to City’s four-man leadership group and relishes the responsibility of leadership, while benefiting from his greater experience.

“It’s a question of play a lot, experience, more important games and his mentality as well,” he said.

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