Erling Haaland: The Manchester City striker downplays comparisons to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo

The City striker has scored 56 goals in the 2022-23 season, his first at the club after joining from Borussia Dortmund, which has been his highest-scoring season to date.

But as Haaland prepares to face his former club in a Champions League match on Wednesday (20:00 GMT), he is on track to surpass that huge sum if he maintains his current scoring rate.

With 98 goals so far in 107 Premier League appearances, he is close to becoming the fastest player to reach a century of goals in the Premier League.

Former England captain Alan Shearer achieved the mark with 124 appearances and tops the all-time league tally with 260.

Shearer, who excelled in his career with Southampton, Blackburn and Newcastle, said last month that Haaland has a “fantastic opportunity” to break the record., external.

But when asked if he would surpass his tally this season, Haaland replied: “What record? I don’t sound arrogant!”

“I got 57 caps in total, including for the national team [in the 2022-23 season]. I’m in good shape but I’m not thinking about this.

“I don’t really know any records but I know his (which Shearer achieved in the Premier League). Again, it’s not something I can think about.

“Thinking about records I can break is the last thing on my mind. I’m trying to help the team win football matches. This is my job and this is my main focus.”

“I know it’s boring, and I know you want me to say the exact opposite, but that’s not the case. I should just ignore them.”