Erling Haaland: "Incredibly humble" striker not focusing on breaking records
Erling Haaland has warned opponents that he is still developing despite his remarkable scoring achievements with Manchester City. The Norwegian forward, who will face his former team Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League, has scored 26 goals in 16 games for club and country this season.
Former England striker Alan Shearer commented last month that if Haaland remains at the club long enough, he will "no doubt" surpass Shearer's own Premier League record of 260 goals.
Haaland on breaking records
At Manchester City's pre-match press conference on Tuesday, Haaland was asked if he could break his record for most goals in a season. He responded, "Not to sound arrogant, but which one?"
The reporter clarified by referring to Haaland's 52 goals scored for City during the 2022/23 season, when the club achieved a treble by winning the Champions League, Premier League, and FA Cup.
In that debut English season, Haaland set a Premier League record with 36 goals in a single campaign. The 1.95-meter (six feet, five inches) striker described his current form as "in a good way" but emphasized his focus on team success rather than personal milestones.
"I can't think about records I can break. That's the last thing I think of. I try to help the team win football games. That's my job and that's my main focus. I know you want me to say the complete opposite, but that's not how it is."
Haaland's humility and team-oriented mindset stand out even amidst his extraordinary talent and record-breaking potential.
Summary: Despite Erling Haaland’s record-breaking pace, he remains grounded and prioritizes team success over personal scoring milestones.