Guardiola Explains Erling Haaland’s Substitution Despite Manchester City Star Chasing Lionel Messi’s Record

• Erling Haaland wanted to bag a double hat-trick in a Champions League game on Tuesday evening
• However, he was substituted by Pep Guardiola, with fans theorising it had to do with Lionel Messi
• The Norwegian striker matched Messi's record of five goals in a single Champions League game

Erling Haaland had a subtle 'argument' with Pep Guardiola after he was substituted off in their huge win over RB Leipzig on March 14.

Manchester City put seven past their German opposition, with Haaland grabbing five of them, to progress to the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

Haaland was withdrawn after the hour mark to a standing ovation from the Etihad Stadium faithful and his manager, who congratulated him.

He became only the third player in history to score five times in a single Champions League game after Lionel Messi and Luiz Adriano.

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But as the Norwegian revealed later on, he asked Guardiola why he didn't allow him to complete a double hat-trick. Haaland was of the idea that had he been accorded a few more minutes, he would have broken Messi's record.

"I told him when I went off, I’d love to score a double hat-trick but what can I do?"

However, Guardiola downplayed the incident, revealing his satisfaction with his striker who has now broken the record for most goals for Man City in a single season.

"If he achieved this milestone at 22, 23 years old, it will be boring, his life. Now he has a target. That’s why I make the substitution," Guardiola said as quoted by the Independent.

The Spanish manager also admitted he had no idea about Messi's record when he took the Norwegian off.

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Haaland could have broken record

Sports Brief also reported on football fans on social media being unable to understand Guardiola's decision to sub Haaland in Man City's 7-0 thrashing of Leipzig on Tuesday.

The Norwegian scored five goals with only 30 touches with his hat-trick being completed before half-time, but the 22-year-old was keen on more goals when he was hooked off.

Haaland missed out on the chance to achieve another special milestone after his manager, Guardiola substituted him in the 64th minute in an act of mercy towards the Germans.