How Erling Haaland's ridiculous international goal record compares to the game's greats | OneFootball

Erling Haaland is the phenomenon England must contain when the Three Lions face Norway in the World Cup quarter-finals this evening.

Haaland has hit seven goals at this summer's tournament, a remarkable return that will surprise few given his exploits in English football.

The 25-year-old has scored 112 goals in thePremier League across just four seasons at Manchester City, and has obliterated Norway's national goal record at international level.

He's scored 62 goals in just 54 caps for his country, an astonishing rate of return.

Here is how Haaland compares to some of football's greatest goalscorers at the same stage of their international careers.

Goals scored after 54 international caps

Lionel Messi - 15 goals

Lionel Messi has scored 125 goals for Argentina in a record-breaking career, the second-highest number of goals scored in international football.

Messi might just be the greatest footballer of all time, but his Argentina career was something of a slow-burn. He was memorably sent off just 30 seconds into his Argentina debut as an 18 year old, and scored only 15 goals in his first 54 caps.

After a series of disappointments with La Albiceleste, losing three major finals in three years, Messi briefly retired from international duty.

Thankfully, he returned to inspire a golden era, ending Argentina's 28-year wait for a trophy with 2021 Copa America success, before lifting the2022 World Cup and Finalissima, and the 2024 Copa America.

Robert Lewandowski - 17 goals

Robert Lewandowski ranks third for all-time international goals scored by European players, but like Messi took time to find his groove.

Lewandowski scored 17 goals in his first 54 caps, but concluded his Poland career with 89 in 167 games.

Cristiano Ronaldo - 20 goals

No footballer in history has played more games or scored more goals in men's international football thanCristiano Ronaldo.

Ronaldo's record of 146 goals in 233 games is the benchmark Haaland will hope to beat. Incredibly, the Norwegian has 42 more international goals than Ronaldo did at 54 international appearances.

Kylian Mbappe - 26 goals

Kylian Mbappe had 26 goals for France when he made his 54th appearance for Les Bleus. The French forward has continued to fire for France, winning the Golden Boot at the 2022 World Cup. This summer, Mbappe has surpassed Olivier Giroud's national goal record.

Harry Kane - 34 goals

Harry Kane is the closest on this list to matching Haaland, having scored 34 goals in his first 54 international caps. However, Kane still trails Haaland by a mammoth 28 goals at the same stage of their international careers.

For context, Haaland has more international goals after 54 caps than Messi, Ronaldo, and Mbappe had combined in the same number of appearances.