Jamie Carragher believes Erling Haaland is on course to become one of the most prolific goalscorers the sport has ever seen, suggesting the Manchester City striker could eventually surpass 1000 career goals after another dominant display in the Champions League.
Haaland scored twice as Enzo Maresca's Manchester City opened their Champions League campaign with a 2-0 victory away at Porto. The result lifted the Norwegian's tally to 322 goals in 407 senior club appearances, making him the third highest scorer in City's history. Internationally, he has been equally relentless, netting 62 times in 55 appearances for Norway.
Speaking on CBS Sports, Carragher, the former Liverpool defender, expressed astonishment at the consistency of Haaland's output, arguing that his numbers have become so routine that they risk being taken for granted.
"I just can't see Haaland not scoring 1000 goals or being the best goalscorer of all time," Carragher said. "I have never seen anything like it in terms of goals and numbers and it is every game.
"But because he does it so often, it does not feel that big. He has just scored two goals away from home in the Champions League and any other striker does that it is an amazing night. It just feels like a normal night.
"I just can't see how he does not end up being the greatest goalscorer or getting the most goals we have ever seen anybody get."
At 26 years old, Haaland still has many years ahead of him at the top level, giving weight to Carragher's belief that he could eventually challenge the most extraordinary scoring records in football history. The debate over who truly holds the record for most career goals by a male player remains contentious. Pele's claim of over 1000 goals is often disputed due to the inclusion of friendlies and other unofficial matches, though it is worth noting that such fixtures carried far greater significance and competitive weight during his era than they typically do today.
Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo continues his own pursuit of the milestone, having passed the 900-goal mark in 2024 while playing for Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia. Should both Ronaldo and Haaland continue their scoring trajectories, football could witness multiple players approaching territory once thought unreachable in the modern game.
For now, attention turns back to domestic matters for Haaland and Manchester City, who face rivals Manchester United in the derby on Sunday. Given his current form, few would be surprised if the Norwegian added to his tally against their local rivals.
Haaland's underlying numbers this season, combined with his track record since joining City, continue to fuel comparisons with the greatest goalscorers of all time. Whether or not he ultimately reaches four figures, his current trajectory suggests he will remain one of the most feared strikers in world football for years to come, with pundits like Carragher increasingly convinced that historic milestones are firmly within his sights.
Based on reporting from The Independent.