The online community is very angry with coach Pep Guardiola preventing Erling Haaland from breaking Lionel Messi’s record in the Champions League.
In the match between Man City vs RB Leipzig , Haaland scored 5 goals to help Man City win 7-0 and win the right to the quarter-finals of the Champions League 2022/23.
However, Haaland missed the chance to hit another special milestone after Pep Guardiola substituted him in the 64th minute. The Norwegian striker was clearly frustrated with the decision as he wanted to make more history. again.
No player has ever scored six goals in a Champions League game. Haaland has a great chance to change that but fans claim that Guardiola stopped him to protect Lionel Messi’s record. In 2012, Messi scored five goals in a match against Bayer Leverkusen at the Nou Camp when Guardiola was in charge of Barca.
One commented: “Pep replaced Haaland so he wouldn’t break Messi’s record”. Another wrote: “Pep kicked Haaland out because he didn’t want him to break Messi’s record”. The third agreed: “Pep, your hands are covered in blood for preventing Haaland from breaking Messi’s Champions League record.”
The fourth said: “Pep knocked Haaland out in the 60th minute when he had 5 goals to stop him from breaking Messi’s record. It’s absurd.” The fifth person has the same thought: “Pep doesn’t want Haaland to break Messi’s record. He is the most Messi fanboy ever.” The sixth added: “No way. Pep kicked Haaland out to protect Messi’s record.”
After being pulled out, Haaland is seen saying something to Pep. And in a post-match interview, Haaland cleared up the questions.
Haaland revealed: “I’m really proud to play in the Champions League. I really love this tournament. I still think I haven’t scored a lot of goals.”
“I told him (Pep Guardiola) when I left the pitch, ‘I’d love to score a hat-trick.’ But what can I do? The decision is up to the coach,” Haaland added.
