Erling Haaland made history on Matchday 1 of the 2025–26 Champions League by becoming the fastest player ever to score 50 goals in the tournament. Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola believes that with this performance, Haaland could eventually break the records held by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Haaland reached the 50-goal mark in just 49 matches, breaking the previous record of 62 games held by Ruud van Nistelrooy. Guardiola remarked that this efficiency suggests Haaland has the potential to surpass both Messi and Ronaldo.
“At this rate, yes, he can break the record,” Guardiola said regarding Ronaldo’s all-time score. “He’s healthy, and can play for another 10–12 years, so if he keeps this up, he absolutely can catch up. The numbers speak for themselves. We’re fortunate to have him on the team.”
Cristiano Ronaldo leads the Champions League all-time scoring list with 140 goals scored with Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus, while Messi is in second place with 129 goals from his time at Barcelona. With both players no longer in European competition, Guardiola believes Haaland is in a good position to take advantage of the opportunity.
Erling Haaland scores his 50th Champions League goal against Napoli. (Dan Istitene/Getty Images)
Guardiola on Haaland’s 50 Champions League goals
Haaland’s achievement is significant due to how quickly he reached 50 goals. The 25-year-old has set a record for the fastest player to hit this milestone in Champions League history.
“I want to congratulate him for reaching 50 goals so rapidly. To be mentioned alongside Van Nistelrooy, Lewandowski, and the two ‘monsters’ Cristiano and Messi is truly remarkable,” Guardiola stated.
Champions League all-time top scorers
Haaland’s first goal in City’s 2–0 win over Napoli placed him joint ninth in the Champions League’s all-time scoring list alongside Thierry Henry at 50 goals. However, he will face competition from Robert Lewandowski and Kylian Mbappe, who are also among the top 10 active scorers.
Thomas Muller is also on the list, but his recent move to the MLS side Vancouver Whitecaps raises questions about his return to European competition, similar to Karim Benzema, who seems unlikely to leave Al Ittihad in Saudi Arabia.
- 1- Cristiano Ronaldo — 140 goals
- 2- Lionel Messi — 129 goals
- 3- Robert Lewandowski — 105 goals
- 4- Karim Benzema — 90 goals
- 5- Raul Gonzalez — 71 goals
- 6- Kylian Mbappe — 57 goals
- 7- Thomas Muller — 57 goals
- 8- Ruud van Nistelrooy — 56 goals
- 9- Erling Haaland — 50 goals
- 10- Thierry Henry — 50 goals