Erling Haaland One Goal Away From Breaking Two Lionel Messi Champions League Records

The Norway international scored both goals in City's 2-0 victory over Porto on matchday one, taking his Champions League tally to 59 goals in just 59 appearances.

That haul has moved Haaland level with former Ballon d'Or winner Andriy Shevchenko, but an even bigger target is now within touching distance.

Haaland is one goal away from 60 Champions League goals — a landmark that could see him break two records currently held by Messi.

Haaland has Messi record in his sights

Messi currently holds the record for being the youngest player to reach 60 Champions League goals.

The Argentina legend was 26 years and 86 days old when he scored his 60th goal in the competition, doing so in his 80th appearance.

Haaland is currently 26 years and 50 days old, leaving him with one final opportunity to beat Messi's age record.

His next Champions League fixture is against Paris Saint-Germain on October 14.

If Haaland scores in that match, he will be 26 years and 85 days old — exactly one day younger than Messi was when he reached 60.

That means Haaland could break one of Messi's most eye-catching Champions League records on his very next European appearance.

The numbers make Haaland's challenge even more remarkable

Even if Haaland fails to score against PSG and Messi's youngest-to-60 record survives, there is another record that looks increasingly vulnerable.

Haaland has reached 59 Champions League goals in just 59 games.

Messi needed 80 appearances to score his first 60.

That gives Haaland a substantial advantage in terms of how quickly he has reached the landmark.

In fact, the Manchester City striker could afford to go another 20 matches without reaching 60 and still match Messi's appearance total.

If he reaches the milestone within his next 20 games, he will establish a new record for the fewest appearances needed to score 60 Champions League goals.

Haaland has already rewritten the record books

The remarkable part is that this is hardly unfamiliar territory for Haaland.

The striker already holds the Champions League records for reaching 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 goals in the fewest appearances.

His latest double against Porto means the next milestone is now sitting directly in front of him.

The first eight of Haaland's Champions League goals came during his time with Red Bull Salzburg, while another 15 arrived during his spell at Borussia Dortmund.

The remaining goals have come since his move to Manchester City.

Now, after reaching 59, the question is no longer whether Haaland will eventually score his 60th Champions League goal.

It is whether he can do it quickly enough — and young enough — to take two more pieces of Champions League history away from Messi.

PSG now stand between Haaland and history

The timing could hardly be more intriguing.

Haaland's next Champions League opponent is PSG, a side that represents a significantly tougher test than Porto.

But with the City striker scoring at almost unprecedented speed in European competition, there is little reason to bet against him.

One goal in Paris would not only take Haaland to 60 Champions League goals.

It would also make him the youngest player ever to reach the landmark and give him the fewest-appearances record outright.

For Haaland, 60 is now much more than another career milestone.

It is potentially the goal that signals the beginning of a new era in the Champions League record books.