Pep Guardiola Reluctantly Praises Haaland After ‘Another Record’

Pep Guardiola reluctantly heaped public praise on Erling Haaland after the Manchester City superstar broke yet another record on Tuesday.

The Norwegian international became the youngest and fastest player to reach 40 goals in the competition as City defeated RB Leipzig 3-2 in a Champions League match. Ten less games than the previous record-holder, Ruud van Nistelrooy, have he managed to reach the milestone in just 35 games. Guardiola, the manager of City, was less than thrilled to be forced to compliment his star player in public, as he is accustomed to witnessing him shatter records.

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During a press conference following the game, Guardiola addressed the media and stated: “Again? I have to tell you again? A thousand million times, I’m really impressed. They won today. Another record. Congratulations. He’s a fantastic player. I tell you many times, we’re really, really pleased. We love him, not just for the goals he scores, but for many other things.”

Haaland’s goal against Liverpool on Saturday in his 48th game in the English top flight made him the fastest player to 50 Premier League goals as well. Andy Cole, a Manchester United icon, had previously held the record with 65 games. He surpassed it.

With a perfect record in the Champions League, City will now look to retake the top spot in the Premier League standings when they take on Tottenham on Sunday. Three days later, Guardiola’s team will return to action, this time on the road at Aston Villa.