Haaland reaches 300 goals in record time, surpasses Messi and Ronaldo

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New Delhi: Erling Haaland has earned another remarkable achievement as he scored his 300th career goal during Manchester City’s 5-2 triumph over Juventus in their FIFA Club World Cup group stage clash in Orlando. The 24-year-old achieved the milestone faster than icons like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappe.

Haaland started the game as a substitute for Pep Guardiola’s side. Coming off the bench, he wasted no time and scored within just seven minutes of stepping onto the pitch. It was his 123rd goal for Man City in 145 appearances, and it took his overall tally to 300 goals for both the club and country. He achieved the feat in just 370 games across his stint with Molde, RB Salzburg, Borussia Dortmund, City and Norway.

Messi needed 418 games to reach 300 goals, Ronaldo took 554, and Mbappe took 409. The Norwegian striker’s efficiency in front of goal is setting a new benchmark for modern strikers.

After the match, manager Guardiola praised Haaland and said, “All I can say is congratulations. He has scored 300 goals at 24 years old. I admire strikers who have that hunger. I’m so happy for Erling.”

City advances to round of 16

Haaland’s strike was part of a dominant City performance that saw them top Group G, moving into the Round of 16 at the Club World Cup. The match also featured a stunning goal from Brazilian youngster Savinho, whose curling 20-yard shot off the bar made it 5-1, underlining City’s attacking power.

Despite a brief scare when Ederson’s poor pass gifted Juventus an equaliser, City were in control with Rodri orchestrating play on his first start since returning from injury. Matheus Nunes and Jeremy Doku also impressed, showing City’s depth as they prepare for the knockout stage.

For Haaland, this milestone is just another step in a career that continues to defy expectations. His hunger for goals and consistency has made him one of the most lethal strikers in the game, with fans now eagerly watching to see how quickly he can close in on the records of the game’s all-time greats.

As Manchester City aim for Club World Cup glory, Haaland’s historic achievement is a reminder of how fortunate football is to witness his journey, one that is already rewriting the record books.