What aspects of Ronaldo and Messi does Haaland admire?

Erling Haaland, the striker for Manchester City and the Norwegian national team, recently stated that he draws great inspiration from the enduring careers of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi—two of the biggest football superstars in the world today.

Cristiano Ronaldo, now 40 years old, has scored over 950 goals in his career and is expected to continue as captain of Portugal at the 2026 World Cup. Meanwhile, Messi (38) currently holds 8 Ballon d’Or awards and has just led Inter Miami to their first-ever MLS Cup championship on December 6. The Argentine superstar was also voted the MLS Most Valuable Player for the second consecutive season and secured the Golden Boot award.

When asked if he draws inspiration from Ronaldo, Erling Haaland admitted: “Absolutely. I think for every footballer on this planet, both Cristiano and Messi are role models everyone looks up to. You observe them and then look at yourself. After that, you understand what you need to do and how you must maintain peak performance for 15 years in the toughest competitions.”

While Ronaldo plans to keep playing at least until age 42 after extending his contract with Al Nassr until June 2027, Messi has also just signed a new deal with Inter Miami, lasting through the 2028 MLS season. Speaking about these two contemporary superstars, Haaland acknowledged: "Both are inspiring. Ronaldo perhaps shows us more clearly what he does. Look at how he takes care of his body! It's extraordinary. To be playing at the highest level at 40 is truly remarkable. We all have to give him our utmost respect because that is not easy.”

At 25 years old, Haaland just scored his 55th goal in 54 Champions League matches, netting against Real Madrid in Manchester City’s 2-1 win at the Bernabeu. This was also his first goal at this stadium, and Haaland expressed great joy:“Playing here was special. It’s an unforgettable experience for any player. You know, Real Madrid is a great club, especially in this competition. To come to the Bernabeu for the first time, score, and win, that feeling is very unique.”

Additionally, Haaland is eagerly looking forward to his first World Cup next year, after averaging two goals per match in qualifiers to help Norway secure a spot in the tournament after a 28-year absence.

When asked if he would break his usual routine and have a beer to celebrate this special event, Haaland just smiled and firmly said: “I don’t like beer, but this time I will. It’s a truly special moment. I have never experienced Norway qualifying for the World Cup before, but now I have the chance to live it. It’s fantastic. Surely, it will be a memorable World Cup.”