MANCHESTER, England — The contrast could hardly have been greater.
While Erling Haaland looted his last hat-trick in a season that threatens to see him score in the English Premier League, Cristiano Ronaldo sat gloomily on the sidelines.
Here was confirmation of the guard’s passing. We have entered the Haaland era, with the reigns of Ronaldo and Lionel Messi shrinking.
He plays for Manchester City, arguably the most talented team in club football, and in Kevin de Bruyne he has a supplier of laser precision.
Haaland’s three goals in a 6-3 defeat to Ronaldo’s Manchester United on Sunday brought his tally to 17 in 11 appearances for the league champions – 10 if the Community Shield is factored in. It is a sign of his devastating threat.
With 14 in the league, he is on track to surpass the 23 scored last season by joint Golden Boot winners Mo Salah and Son Heung-Min in just six games.
Brentford at the Etihad Stadium on November 12 could be that moment. But given Haaland’s performance already, it seems unlikely he’ll have to wait that long.
It all feels too easy for the 22-year-old Norwegian, who towers over most rivals at 1.93 meters (6-foot-4) and at 86 kilograms (189 pounds) has the strength to grab the attention of any central defender who can get close to him.
That’s before taking into account his breakneck pace, with just a few steps of his fearsome gait taking him away from opponents, as well as the agility to reach the ball in areas he doesn’t have the right to. See his ‘kung fu’ goal against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League last month.
It creates a corridor of opportunity unlike any striker in the game right now. For example, Haaland plays a video game in cheat mode. If the ball is anywhere near its environment in the final third, the goal is in danger.
It seems impossible to imagine that the record of 34 league goals set by Andy Cole in 1994 and Alan Shearer in 1995 will not fall this season.
Ronaldo’s best was 31, while Sergio Aguero, City’s all-time top scorer, has never scored more than 26.
To put Haaland’s numbers into context, Messi and Ronaldo still remain the benchmark.
Messi’s best campaign saw him score an incredible 73 in all competitions for Barcelona in 2011-12, including 50 in the Spanish League. Ronaldo was at his most prolific in 2014-15 for Real Madrid where he hit 61. The record in England’s top flight is 60 set by Everton’s Dixie Dean in 1928.
Haaland is on track to threaten those numbers. In the league, he tracks 66 goals in a 38-game campaign.
The big question mark hangs over his condition. Several muscle problems forced him to miss extended spells for Dortmund, but there were no such concerns in the early stages of his City career.
Guardiola attributes that to the way City’s medical department has treated him.
“Last season he couldn’t play many games, he was injured all the time,” Guardiola said. “When you get here, we have incredible physios. Thanks to them, he can play every 90 minutes.
“One of the most important departments is the doctors and physios and they help, so thanks to them. Last season Dortmund couldn’t do it, but we can.”
Specialist attention has included city doctor Mario Pafundi who, along with Haaland, has an international duty to maintain his routine.
That has been done with the blessing of Norwegian coach Stale Solbakken, who finds himself guiding a player who is on the cusp of becoming a global icon.
Media members following the national team have spoken of increased security and the delayed announcement of press conferences involving Haaland to avoid a shout from journalists fascinated by the attacker.
Haaland’s profile has only risen since his $63 million transfer to City, but he is a player primed for stardom.
‘Team Haaland’, who are closely watching his career, have charted their path from rejecting a move to Manchester United in 2019, to opting for City last summer despite interest from Real Madrid.
His father, former Leeds United and City midfielder Alf-Inge, oversees his son’s business.
Former Southampton striker Egil Ostenstad, who entered banking after his playing career, is available for financial advice. Coincidentally, Ostenstad also scored a hat-trick against United in a 6-3 win over Southampton in 1996.
Alf-Inge’s best man, Ivar Eggja, is also part of the team, accompanying the player to his City unveiling in the summer.
Rafaela Pimenta, the lawyer who worked with the late super agent Mino Raiola, is also a key figure.
After delivering him to City, where Guardiola hopes he will be the missing piece in the club’s pursuit of a first Champions League title, Team Haaland’s next task is to deliver what is one of football’s greatest signings ever. could be.
His deal with Nike has ended, sparking a battle between the biggest sportswear manufacturers to secure their place on his feet.
He has been seen with several brands since joining City, including Nike, Adidas and Puma.
Those companies are desperate to bring in Haaland, even if he won’t be attending the biggest showcase of them all, the World Cup.
Norway’s failure to qualify for Qatar means he will rest as the world’s best players go head to head in the midst of what will be a heavily congested season due to the disruption of the club’s calendar.
That hiatus of the season for Haaland has the potential to mean he’s even sharper when the Premier League resumes in December.
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