Haaland Can Never Be Lionel Messi – Pep Guardiola
Pep Guardiola, the manager of Manchester City, has admitted that Erling Haaland, their star striker, cannot compare to Lionel Messi.
He argues that Haaland will never reach Messi’s level.
The Norwegian forward has 50 goals for City this year, including 12 in the Champions League and 34 in the Premier League.
When asked if Leo Messi, his former Barcelona captain, could be compared, Guardiola responded, “No one can compare with Messi. Erling won’t benefit from it.
Messi is the most complete player I have seen in terms of vision, dribbles, passes, competitiveness, in many things that are difficult.
“Hopefully Erling can be so close [to] Leo – that will be great for us and him, but I don’t help anyone to compare them with the Argentina player.”
“I know him a bit and he is so competitive and positive in his mindset.
“He has this incredible, positive self-confidence. It’s not arrogance.
“It’s self-confidence to say I am going to score and to arrive in his first season and score 50 already, and equal the record for two legends in Andy Cole and Alan Shearer.”