Manchester City‘s Erling Haaland is inspired by the “incredible” career longevity of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

Ronaldo, 40, has scored over 950 goals and is expected to captain Portugal at the 2026 World Cup.

Messi, 38, an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, led Inter Miami to the MLS Cup for the first time on Dec. 6. He was named Major League Soccer’s Most Valuable Player for the second season in a row while also receiving the league’s Golden Boot awarded to the top scorer.

Asked if Ronaldo is an inspiration for him, Haaland told TNT Brasil: “Of course. I think for every single football player on this planet, both Cristiano and Messi are an example of what you should do, how you should do to be able to perform at the highest level for 15 years in the greatest leagues.”

While Ronaldo will continue playing until at least 42 after he extended his contract with Saudi Pro-League club Al Nassr until June 2027, Argentina captain Messi penned a new deal with Inter Miami through the end of the 2028 MLS season.

“They are both inspirational,” Haaland said. “Cristiano maybe has let us in a bit more on the things he’s been doing. Look at how he takes care of his body! This is amazing. He’s 40, it’s incredible to still be able to play [at that age]. All respect to him for being able to do that. It’s not easy. “

Haaland, 25, scored his 55th goal in 54 Champions League games against Ronaldo’s former club Real Madrid this week.

The goal from the penalty spot was Haaland’s first at the Bernabeu and gave City a 2-1 win.

“It’s special to come here and play,” Haaland said after Wednesday’s win.

“It’s a massive club which achieved so much, especially in this competition. It’s special to come here and win for the first time [for him] and score for the first time at the Bernabeu.”

Haaland, meanwhile, is looking forward to playing at the World Cup for the first time next year.

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He averaged two goals per game in qualifying to help Norway reach its first World Cup in 28 years.

Asked if he made an exception and had a beer or another drink during mid-season to celebrate Norway qualifying for the World Cup, Haaland said: “I don’t like beers but I did.

“It was really special to finally qualify for the World Cup, first time in 28 years. I never lived when there was a World Cup in Norway. Now I finally get to live through it. A special moment.

“It’s going to be amazing.”

Mohamed Salah is set to be included in Liverpool‘s squad for Saturday’s Premier League match with Brighton & Hove Albion, sources told ESPN.

Salah was omitted from the matchday squad for Liverpool’s midweek victory over Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League following his explosive interview after the Reds’ 3-3 draw with Leeds United.

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The 33-year-old, who was dropped to the bench for a third consecutive game against Leeds, claimed he had been “thrown under the bus” by the club and that his relationship with Liverpool manager Arne Slot had broken down.

However, sources said Salah will be part of the squad this weekend following conversations with Slot on Friday, with the move felt to be in the best interests of all parties. Salah will then depart to the Africa Cup of Nations, with the forward’s future set to be discussed further in the coming weeks.

Salah suggested last weekend that the Brighton clash could be his last for Liverpool, with the forward leaving to represent Egypt on Dec. 15. He has been a long-term subject of interest from Saudi Arabia and could leave the club in January if a resolution cannot be reached with Slot and Liverpool’s hierarchy.

Speaking at his news conference earlier on Friday, Slot said he had “no reasons not wanting him to stay.”

“We have spoken a lot in the last week. After the Sunderland game there were a lot of conversations between his representatives and ours, our representatives and him, between him and me, and today I will speak to him again,” Slot added.

The Liverpool boss said the decision of whether Salah rejoined the squad was solely his.

“I think we decided as a club — and I was part of that decision — not to take him to the Inter Milan, and I am always in contact with [sporting director Richard Hughes and Fenway Sports Group CEO of Football Michael Edwards], but when it comes to the decision-making of the lineup or the squad they always leave it open to me,” Slot said.

“That is not to say I don’t talk to them, mainly Richard not Michael, but I talk to him about so many things. The decision to play a player or have him in the squad — as I have experienced until now and I think this will never change — is entirely up to me.”

Liverpool are unbeaten in their past four games in all competitions. However, they have won just two of their past 10 matches in the Premier League.

SPOKANE, Wash. — Braden Huff scored 24 points and No. 11 Gonzaga gave coach Mark Few his 750th career victory, routing North Florida 109-58 on Sunday night. Few is the second-fastest to 750, reaching the mark in 904 games.

Few trails only Adolph Rupp, the Kentucky icon who did it in 902 games. Now in his 27th season as Gonzaga’s coach, Few has never missed an NCAA tournament.

Tyon Grant-Foster added 19 points and Davis Fogle had 15 points for Gonzaga (9-1), which showed no sign of a letdown following a dominant win over No. 18 Kentucky on Friday. Scoring leader Graham Ike was nursing an ankle injury and did not play.

Trey Cady scored 14 points and Kent Jackson 11 for North Florida (2-7). But Gonzaga shot 61% while holding the Ospreys to 33% en route to the win. The Bulldogs had a 48-25 rebounding edge.

Gonzaga led 31-22 midway through the first half when Mario Saint-Supery scored seven consecutive points on two 3-pointers and a free throw. That ignited a 20-0 run.

North Florida was scoreless for more than six minutes, missing nine consecutive field goal attempts, as Gonzaga built a 51-22 lead.

Kamrin Oriol broke the drought for the Ospreys with a pair of late 3-pointers. The visitors trailed 53-28 at halftime, after hitting just 33% of their shots and committing 10 turnovers in the opening 20 minutes. Gonzaga shot 64% in the first half.

Gonzaga opened the second half with a 10-0 run for a 63-28 lead. The Bulldogs are now off until Saturday when they take on UCLA in Seattle.