The 25-year-old striker secured Manchester City their 3-1 Premier League victory over Bournemouth on Sunday (02.11.25) with two goals in the first half, and Guardiola has now said Halaand is as good as the Argentine star, 38, and the Portugese legend, 40.

Speaking with ManCity.com, the 54-year-old manager said: “This is what it’s like if you play with Messi or Ronaldo, his influence is so big.

“You see the numbers of that guy? Of course he’s that level. Messi and Ronaldo have done it for 15 years, but this is the level. The first goal, the way he shoots the ball, it’s like ‘I am going to score’.

“He has that hunger. It’s top. I said how incredibly coachable and manageable he is.

“I am tough sometimes with Haaland, but he is open-minded. He lives for the goals and sometimes the pressure cannot sustain 90 minutes, but that’s normal.

“Without him it would be tough to be honest, but we are lucky that Omar is back, and we have fit players, it’s good.”

Guardiola added Rayan Cherki, 22, was also a “special talent” after assisting both of Haaland’s goals.

The head coach said: “The vision in the final third is good, and he has the consistency and courage to play.

“The dynamic that we play, we need a little more time for the rhythm of the Premier League.

“He scored a goal and an assist against Swansea. Today, he made two assists and has a special talent with the connection to the people up front, it’s unique.

“It’s not just that, it’s many things. Step by step he can realise what we need to do.”

Following City’s game with Bournemouth, Halaand has taken his seasonal tally to 26, scoring 17 goals in just 13 games.

The Blues are due to face Dortmund on Wednesday (05.11.25) in the UEFA Champions League.