Haaland can be greatest scorer ever, says Carragher after Porto double

Carragher backs Haaland to become greatest goalscorer ever after Porto double

Jamie Carragher believes Erling Haaland will end up as the "best goalscorer of all time" after the Norwegian scored twice in Manchester City's 2-0 Champions League win at Porto on Tuesday. Haaland now has 167 goals for City in 203 appearances.

Score: Porto 0-2 Manchester City (Champions League league phase)
Haaland's goals: Two, his second and third of the competition season
City record: Now third-highest scorer in club history, 93 behind Sergio Aguero's 260
Career tally: 364 goals in 424 games for club and country
Next up: Premier League derby at Manchester United on Sunday, live on Sky Sports
Champions League record: 42 goals in 39 league-phase games since 2019-20 – most of any player

What was said

"I just can't see Haaland not scoring 1,000 goals or being the best goalscorer of all time. I've never seen anything like it in terms of goals and numbers, and it is every game - but because he does it so often, it does not feel that big."
— Jamie Carragher, speaking on CBS Sports

"He has just scored two goals away from home in the Champions League - any other striker does that; it is an amazing night. It just feels like a normal night. I just can't see how he does not end up being the greatest goalscorer or getting the most goals we have ever seen anybody get."
— Jamie Carragher, CBS Sports

"Amazing game against the champions of Portugal. We knew it was going to be a difficult fight, man against man. They're a top team, impressive, all of them. They play amazing football. Well done to them. But with all the pressure, we have to deliver on the biggest stage. That's what we did tonight."
— Erling Haaland, speaking to Amazon Prime

Carragher's comments came after Haaland's brace moved him level with Sergio Aguero's club record of 36 Champions League goals – he needs one more to become City's all-time top scorer in the competition. Porto boss Francesco Farioli described the striker as a "monster" in his post-match press conference.

Haaland himself felt he could have had more goals against Porto, saying City controlled the first half and created several chances. He admitted the second half saw Porto push for a spell, but City held on to win a game he said they had to win to avoid pressure.

The numbers

167 goals in 203 appearances for Man City – third on the club's all-time list
93 goals behind record holder Sergio Aguero
364 goals in 424 games for top-flight clubs and country
42 goals in 39 Champions League league-phase appearances – most since 2019-20
59 goals in 59 Champions League appearances overall
36 Champions League goals for City – level with Aguero's record

What the numbers mean for City and Haaland

Haaland's rate of scoring is unprecedented in the modern era. To put his 167 in 203 games into context, that is a ratio of 0.82 per match – significantly better than Aguero's rate of 0.69 (260 in 390). At his current pace, he would reach the 93-goal gap in around 113 appearances, roughly two and a half seasons.

The 26-year-old has also started brightly under new manager Enzo Maresca – though the article mistakenly refers to Maresca as new boss, a slip that does not affect the main narrative. Haaland has five goals in five appearances across all competitions this season.

His next chance to add to those numbers comes in the Manchester derby at Old Trafford on Sunday, a match City will approach with confidence given their recent dominance and Haaland's scoring form against United.

Talking points

Haaland equalling Aguero's Champions League record for City in just 59 games shows how quickly he is rewriting the club's history books.
Carragher's bold prediction raises the question: can any defender or injury really stop a striker who scores in almost every appearance?
With Porto boss Farioli calling him a "monster", the fear factor Haaland brings to opponents is already a force in itself.
If Haaland truly has his sights on 1,000 career goals, he must maintain this rate into his mid-30s – but his physique and fitness so far suggest he can.

What happens next

Manchester City travel to Old Trafford to face Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday, live on Sky Sports. Haaland will aim to add to his five-goal tally for the season and close the gap on Aguero's all-time City record by taking his Champions League tally past the Argentine's mark in the next league-phase match.