United States forward Folarin Balogun has said he draws motivation from some of football’s most prolific attackers, including Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, and Erling Haaland, describing their scoring consistency as almost unavoidable.

Speaking during a training session, Balogun admitted that watching their constant goal output can be frustrating, but also serves as a strong source of inspiration. He said he wants to reach that same “inevitable” level where scoring becomes routine.

Balogun also expressed confidence in his ability to develop into a similarly consistent scorer, noting that his long-term goal is to establish himself among the top finishers at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

He joked that the elite scorers are “annoying” because of how regularly they find the net, but added that it pushes him to improve and match their standard.

Looking ahead in the tournament, he acknowledged a tactical concern, as he is currently one booking away from suspension. He stressed the importance of staying available for his team, saying he must balance aggression with discipline to avoid missing knockout matches.

Balogun concluded that as long as his team progresses further in the competition, he will continue to get chances to score, adding that every World Cup goal is something he would value for life.