Pep Guardiola is right? Erling Haaland is on Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo's level when it comes to goal-scoring - and he hasn't even reached his peak

The Norwegian is ahead of schedule in his mission to out-score the two greats of the modern game after a refreshing summer away from the game

Earlier this year, Erling Haaland was asked whether he would have to wait for Lionel Messi to retire for him to start winning the Ballon d'Or and The FIFA Best awards. The Norwegian was unsure, but was happy to hail Messi as the greatest player of all time.

Messi has won eight Ballons d'Or and even when he does retire, he might be impossible to overhaul. Messi looks set to be the standard bearer long after he hangs up his boots, as does five-time Golden Ball winner Cristiano Ronaldo.

But just a few days ago, Pep Guardiola was happy to put Haaland on the same pedestal as the two players who are largely regarded as the best players of the 21st century, albeit with an important caveat.

Haaland had just scored the first goal of City's Premier League campaign, just as he did in the previous two seasons, with Chelsea the victims this time. It was the Norwegian's 91st goal in 100 games at City, and Guardiola gave that moment to shower him with the highest praise of all.

On their level

"He has the numbers for Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, who controlled the last decade, 15 years, absolutely everything," Guardiola said of his No.9. "In terms of numbers, it is that level. So, I don't know how he does it, but in 100 games scoring 91 goals is something in the Premier League. In this country, it is unbelievable."

Coaches have long been wary about comparing players to Messi or Ronaldo, but Guardiola is perfectly qualified to do so. He oversaw Messi's rise at Barcelona and came up against Ronaldo on numerous occasions in La Liga, the Champions League and the Premier League.

This not a moment of hubris either from the Catalan. He was spot-on in comparing Haaland to Messi and Ronaldo.

Time on his hands

Haaland might never catch Messi and Ronaldo in terms of Ballon d'Or awards, especially if Kylian Mbappe has anything to do with it. But in terms of goals scored, he is on their level. In fact, he is actually ahead of them for his age.

Messi is the all-time scorer in Europe's top five leagues on 496 goals, with Ronaldo just behind him on 495. Haaland is on 122, but he has time on his hands. The Norwegian turned 24 in July. Ronaldo left Manchester United to move to Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia when he was 37, while Messi departed Paris Saint-Germain for Inter Miami when he had just turned 36.

Haaland, then, has one-quarter of the goals of Messi and Ronaldo amassed and 12 years to make up the ground.