Erling Haaland vs Lionel Messi Stats 2026/27: Who Is Better This Season?
Erling Haaland vs Lionel Messi stats this season (2026/27): Haaland 9 goals and 0 assists in 9 league games for Manchester City; Messi 26 goals and 13 assists in 30 league games for Inter Miami. At World Cup 2026: Haaland 7 goals in 5 games, Messi 8 in 8.
Erling Haaland vs Lionel Messi: Stat Comparison Table
Higher value highlighted in gold (lower is better for yellow cards).
| Attribute | Erling Haaland | Lionel Messi |
|---|---|---|
| Position | Forward | Forward |
| Club | Manchester City | Inter Miami |
| Nationality | Norway | Argentina |
| Age | 26 | 39 |
| Statistic | Erling Haaland | Lionel Messi |
|---|---|---|
| Appearances | 5 | 8 |
| Goals | 7 | 8 |
| Assists | 0 | 4 |
| Yellow cards | 0 | 0 |
| Statistic | Erling Haaland | Lionel Messi |
|---|---|---|
| International caps | 59 | 208 |
| International goals | 65 | 126 |
| Statistic | Erling Haaland | Lionel Messi |
|---|---|---|
| Appearances | 9 | 30 |
| Goals | 9 | 26 |
| Assists | 0 | 13 |
The record-breaker and the record-holder
By the FootballDream editorial team. Facts checked against official records on . How we verify stats
Haaland has spent four years breaking Premier League records. Messi has spent two decades holding most of the others. Put them side by side and the question is whether a rate beats a career.
Haaland's rate is absurd. He scored 36 Premier League goals in his first season (still the record) and 52 in all competitions, and he reached 50 international goals in 46 games. He has 65 goals in 59 caps for Norway, more than a goal a game. A treble came in that first season too.
Messi's career is the longest in the discussion. He set the European record for goals in a season in 2011โ12, has 672 goals for Barcelona alone, eight Ballons d'Or, 47 team trophies and a World Cup. He retired from international football in October 2026 after 208 caps and 126 goals.
Haaland's individual honours already include the PFA Players' Player of the Year, UEFA Men's Player of the Year and a Ballon d'Or runner-up finish. He is the best of his generation at one specific job.
What decides it
| ย | Erling Haaland | Lionel Messi |
|---|---|---|
| International caps | 59 | 208 |
| International goals | 65 | 126 |
| Ballons d'Or | 0 (runner-up) | 8 |
| Champions Leagues | 1 (2022โ23) | 4 |
| World Cup 2026 | Quarter-final | Runner-up, Silver Ball |
Messi, on everything that has already happened. Haaland, on goals per game right now. If you are picking a fantasy captain this week, only one of them is playing in the Premier League.
Did you know: Erling Haaland
- He started at Bryne and Molde, joined Red Bull Salzburg in 2019, and moved to Dortmund in 2020 where he won the DFB-Pokal.
- Manchester City signed him in 2022 for โฌ60 million. He helped them win the treble in his first season.
- He holds the Premier League record for goals in a season (36) and the record for most goals in all competitions in a single season by a Premier League player (52).
- He is the only player to win Premier League Young Player and Player of the Season in the same year.
Did you know: Lionel Messi
- He is the most decorated player in football history, with 47 team trophies from more than 1,200 appearances.
- He scored a record 672 goals for Barcelona, including a La Liga record 474, and won 34 trophies there: 10 league titles and four Champions Leagues.
- Barcelona won the first Spanish treble in 2008โ09, and a second in 2014โ15 with Messi, Luis Suรกrez and Neymar up front, the trio known as MSN.
- He won the 2022 World Cup and became the first player to take the tournament's Golden Ball twice. In 2026 he reached a second straight final and took the Silver Ball.
Quick quiz: Erling Haaland and Lionel Messi
Three questions, answers explained. No sign-up needed.
โ Frequently Asked Questions
How many goals did Erling Haaland score in World Cup 2026? +
Erling Haaland scored 7 goals at World Cup 2026 in 5 appearances. The tournament ended on July 19, 2026 with Spain beating Argentina in the final.
How many international caps does Erling Haaland have? +
Erling Haaland has earned 59 international caps and scored 65 goals for Norway.
Who performed better at WC 2026, Erling Haaland or Lionel Messi? +
Erling Haaland and Lionel Messi were both World Cup 2026 stars. Erling Haaland scored 7 goals while Lionel Messi scored 8 goals at the tournament. Use the tabs above to compare their WC 2026, Career and Club Season stats.
What are Lionel Messi's international stats? +
Lionel Messi has 208 international caps and 126 career international goals for Argentina.
What club did Lionel Messi play for this season? +
In the 2026 club season, Lionel Messi scored 26 goals and provided 13 assists in 30 appearances. They play for Argentina.
Erling Haaland vs Lionel Messi: Stats Overview
Erling Haaland (๐ณ๐ด Norway, Forward) and Lionel Messi (๐ฆ๐ท Argentina, Forward) are both World Cup 2026 players. The tournament ran from June 11 to July 19, 2026, with Spain beating Argentina 1-0 in the final. Erling Haaland has 59 international caps and 65 career international goals, while Lionel Messi has 208 caps and 126 international goals.
In the 2026/27 club season, Erling Haaland scored 9 goals and provided 0 assists in 9 appearances, while Lionel Messi scored 26 goals and 13 assists in 30 apps. Use the tabs above to see their World Cup 2026, Career and Club Season stats side by side.