Haaland Breaks Messi’s European League Goals Record

Manchester City striker, Erling Haaland, broke two more records – one previously held by Lionel Messi – with his goals during City’s Premier League defeat of Leeds United on Wednesday night.

The Norwegian described as capable of stepping into the big shoes of the legendary duo of Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, along with Kylian Mbappe, Rafael Leao, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus, Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham, was at the double as City saw off the Yorkshire side 3-1.

Haaland’s two second-half strikes put City firmly in control after Rodri had broken the deadlock just before half-time. The brace saw Haaland take his City goals tally to 26 in 20 appearances in all competitions, a return that has broken two separate records.

Haaland’s first strike will likely end up asy one of the easiest of his career; Jack Grealish did all the hard work before squaring across the face of goal for the 22-year-old to tap home. It was Haaland’s 25th goal under Guardiola in 20 games, making him the fastest player to reach that tally. Messi set the previous record back in 2009, but he took 28 games to reach 25 goals.

Haaland’s second goal of the evening, again set up by Grealish but this time a more difficult finish from the edge of the six-yard box, was his 26th of the campaign in all competitions and his 20th in the Premier League. It’s taken him 14 league outings to hit that milestone.

Twenty-one matches was the previous record for the fewest number of league games needed to score 20 goals, a record set by former Sunderland striker Kevin Phillips.

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In terms of Premier League goal standings this season, Haaland is well out in-front. The City man has 20 goals, while his closest challenger Harry Kane has found the net on twelve occasions. Brentford striker Ivan Toney is currently third with 10.