Erling Haaland of Manchester City draws inspiration from the “remarkable” longevity of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
At 40, Ronaldo has netted over 950 goals and is set to captain Portugal in the 2026 World Cup.
Messi, aged 38 and an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, recently led Inter Miami to its first-ever MLS Cup on December 6. He was also recognized as Major League Soccer’s Most Valuable Player for the second consecutive season, earning the league’s Golden Boot as the top scorer.
When asked about Ronaldo’s impact on him, Haaland told TNT Brasil: “Absolutely. For every footballer around the world, both Cristiano and Messi represent the standard of how to maintain peak performance for 15 years in the top leagues.”
Ronaldo plans to keep playing until at least 42, having recently extended his contract with Saudi Pro-League team Al Nassr through June 2027. Meanwhile, Argentina’s Messi has signed a new contract with Inter Miami, keeping him with the team until the end of the 2028 MLS season.
At just 25, Haaland tallied his 55th goal in 54 Champions League appearances during a recent match against Ronaldo’s former team, Real Madrid. The penalty he converted marked his first goal at the Bernabeu and secured a 2-1 victory for City.
“It feels special to play here,” Haaland remarked after the game. “This is a massive club with an incredible history, especially in this tournament. Winning here for the first time and scoring my first goal at the Bernabeu is a remarkable achievement.”
Looking ahead, Haaland is eager to participate in his first World Cup next year. He excelled with an average of two goals per game during the qualifiers, aiding Norway in reaching its first World Cup in 28 years.
When asked if he made an exception to enjoy a drink to celebrate Norway qualifying for the World Cup, Haaland replied, “I’m not a fan of beer, but I did have one.”
“It was very special to finally qualify for the World Cup after such a long time. I’ve never experienced a World Cup while Norway was in it. Now, I get to experience it firsthand—a truly special moment.”
“It’s going to be amazing.”