Erling Haaland now has 42 goals this season after scoring a sixth hat-trick for Manchester City in their 6-0 FA Cup quarter-final demolition of Vincent Kompany’s Burnley on Saturday
Vincent Kompany has claimed that Erling Haaland can join Lionel Messi, Ronaldinho, Zinedine Zidane and Cristiano Ronaldo and become one of football’s all-time great strikers.
The Norwegian hit his sixth hat-trick of the season and his ninth goal in a week as Manchester City eclipsed Burnley 6-0 to reach an Wembley FA Cup semi-final next month. Julian Alvarez grabbed a double and sub Cole Palmer scored as City ran riot to stun the Championship’s runaway leaders.
The Clarets boss was given a rousing reception on his return to the Etihad and, even though his stars suffered a chastening defeat, he couldn’t help admire Haaland. “I have played against the greats – Messi, Ronaldinho, Zidane, Cristiano Ronaldo,” Kompany said.
“And in the end they are part of a special elite because even the very best find it very difficult to stop those guys – and someone like Erling will keep finding a way. His game can and will still improve and that is maybe the difference with the other superstars – he is still willing to improve.
“I think his goalscoring record in general puts him in a certain bracket, a certain category. I don’t need to say more than showing you his record of goals. But I also see the mindset of someone who wants to improve. So if he continues to do that – and he is going to have to – that’s not something you experience a lot.”
Have your say! Do you agree with Kompany on Haaland? Join the debate in the comments section.
