Pep Guardiola believes Erling Haaland is already operating on the same level as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
Haaland took his incredible haul for the season to 44 with a brace against Southampton on Saturday evening as City closed the gap on Premier League leaders Arsenal to five points with a 4-1 win.
The Norway international headed City into the lead just before half-time before hitting the back of the net with a sensational overhead kick.
He was replaced shortly after with his manager keeping one eye on Tuesday’s Champions League showdown with Bayern Munich.
Ronaldo and Messi ripped up the record books as they dominated world football but with both approaching the end of their careers, the City boss has now joined the same bracket as the legendary forwards.
‘The second goal was amazing. It is not easy to pick the ball up in the sky and put it on the grass,’ Guardiola told BBC Sport.
‘His talent is really good. We need him. The first half was not our best level but he changed the game. As a top scorer we lived two incredible decades with Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi but he is on that level.
‘He scores a lot of goals. I am very happy with 65 minutes after injury and he helped us again.’
Kevin de Bruyne provided his 100th Premier League assist for Haaland’s opener, beating the record previously held by Cesc Fabregas.
‘A lot of people were talking online and it’s something you can’t really miss, but you try to create as much as possible. I could have had two or three more. If they score, I get the assist,’ de Bruyne said.
‘I’m known for my creativity, there are not many players who have 100 assists, but half of the side is mine and after the side is the other.
‘I don’t compare. Cesc Fabregas is an unbelievable football player and that’s the best I can do. I try to create as much as possible and we score a lot of goals, that helps.
‘Honestly, Erling scores a lot of goals. He’s insane. He’s there. If you create chances he will be there. We have a good combination.’
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