TalkSport Pundit & Ex-Chelsea Striker Explains Why Haaland Will Never Become Greatest Footballer Of All Time. Former Chelsea forward Tony Cascarino has stated why Manchester City attacker Erling Haaland, despite his incredible level of performance, would never become the greatest footballer of all time.
The Irishman, who played for Chelsea from 1992 to 1994, believes that the Norwegian will not become football’s most famous character since his country is unlikely to win the World Cup.
Speaking on Sports Breakfast (via talkSPORT), Cascarino said:
“Erling Haaland is probably not going to win the World Cup with Norway. He’s not. Unless he gets 70 goals a season every season, even then I don’t know if he’ll be classed as the greatest player of all time. I just don’t see it without being a world champion.”
❌ “Erling Haaland is probably not going to win the World Cup win Norway."
👀 “If he scores 70 goals a season, I don’t even know if he’ll be considered the GOAT!”
🔥 “Not without being a World Champion!”
Tony Cascarino doesn’t see Haaland being the GOAT without a World Cup 😳 pic.twitter.com/eR2HA8MWjH
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) December 22, 2022
The Paris Saint-Germain superstar Lionel Messi was used as an example by the Irishman to further emphasize his point. He emphasized how, despite everything the Argentine accomplished at the club level, it took Argentina winning the World Cup for him to be recognized as the best player in football.
Cascarino continued: “Because put it this way, we’ve had to question Lionel Messi, ‘Is he the greatest ever?’ And think of what he’s done as a club player with Barcelona. If he can’t be deemed as No. 1, and some people make the argument, ‘No he’s not, [Diego] Maradona’s is in front of him,’ or, ‘Pele was in front of him.'”
“What has Erling Haaland… he cannot do it just at club level! It’s impossible for me in my mind, for you to be the GOAT, the best player ever, just on your club form.”
Without a doubt, Lionel Messi’s victory this year over the lone prize that had escaped him throughout his illustrious career has cemented his status as the greatest footballer in history.
The Argentine created history when he led his country to victory against France in the World Cup final and lifted the trophy. The forward has seven goals and three assists to his credit during the World Cup campaign in Qatar.