Jamie Carragher makes Erling Haaland & Cristiano Ronaldo comparison after ‘devastating’ Man City header

Jamie Carragher has compared Erling Haaland’s headed goal last weekend to Cristiano Ronaldo’s memorable leap against Sampdoria in 2019.

The ex-Manchester United forward rose an astonishing 2.56 metres when he scored in the 2-1 win for Juventus, with the goal going viral at the time. Haaland netted a similar header in Manchester City’s 5-1 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday, when the Norwegian jumped so high his knees were around the same height as Nelson Semedo’s head.

“We know who is most famous for getting big headers. For me, Cristiano Ronaldo in the last few years. It reminded me of the famous goal he got against Sampdoria for Juventus,” claimed Carragher on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football.

“I think Haaland gets slightly higher,” he added. “I love that. Seeing a centre-forward getting up above the defender, and the height he got on it was absolutely astonishing.”

Haaland’s four-goal haul on Saturday moved him onto 25 for the season and 36 in all competitions. That’s in addition to 52 in 53 last season, and City’s no.9 has seen records repeatedly tumble since his move from Borussia Dortmund in 2022.

Despite that, Carragher has not always been Haaland’s greatest advocate in the City team. In February 2023, he claimed that the striker might have ‘picked the wrong club’ and added that ‘we’re not seeing his full package’ given City’s dominance.

Speaking on Monday, Carragher reiterated that view but added the 23-year-old is the best finisher in the business.

“I loved it [the performance against Wolves],” said the ex-Liverpool defender. I’ve said it for a long time that I don’t think we’ve seen the full package of Erling Haaland because of who he plays for.

“When you come up against him, you have to defend deep, hence why he doesn’t get a lot of touches on the ball. You see him in the box and he puts the ball in the back of the net. He’s better than anybody at that. 

“But I’ve seen it before on a handful of occasions. Last season against Manchester United at home, Arsenal at home. I think there was a game last season when he just knocks a defender out of the way and this was another one; a devastating performance.”