Pep Guardiola believes no one can compare to Lionel Messi but challenged Manchester City striker Erling Haaland to match the goalscoring exploits of his former star pupil.
Haaland sensationally committed the next nine-and-a-half years of his career to City, with a new contract confirmed on Friday that runs until the end of the 2033/34 season.
The Norway superstar will be a month shy of his 34th birthday if he sees out the duration of his gargantuan deal in Manchester, a timespan that theoretically gives him the opportunity to match Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo’s generation-defining exploits.
A haul of 111 goals in 125 City games means Haaland is likely to challenge Sergio Aguero’s all-time club scoring record, along with Alan Shearer’s Premier League competition record in the years to come.
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At a press conference ostensibly to preview Sunday’s trip to Ipswich, Guardiola said Haaland was only really similar to Messi in one way — his thirst for goals. Maintaining this over the next decade represents a route to greatness.
Pep Guardiola’s Messi and Haaland verdict
“Nobody is like Messi. He is a different type of player. The level of numbers to score goals, [Erling] is that level. But there isn’t anyone who is like Leo,” Guardiola said.
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“Leo, like Cristiano, I would say, have both been for 14 or 15 yeast scoring the amount of goals every season and arriving in the last stages.
“Erling is a different type of player, everybody knows it, but in terms of numbers to score goals they are similar.
“But it doesn’t matter, all three and maybe Mbappe as well have unbelievable numbers. All of them are top. Leo can play in different positions and produce different things for his mates. Leo is incomparable and I think Cristiano has been there so, so close.”
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Guardiola: Haaland has made me better
Messi’s inimitable playing style was always a natural fit for Guardiola and the same cannot be said for Haaland.
The 24-year-old was instantly prolific upon arriving in Manchester but there were wider teething problems as City were recalibrated from a false-nine team to one with the most lethal No. 9 in world football.
Nevertheless, Haaland’s willingness to learn has repeatedly impressed his manager, who believes he and his coaching staff have become “better” through working with the striker.
“On many things,” Guardiola replied when asked whether Haaland can improve. “The club, the team, and myself as a manager we have to create an environment that creates a lot of moments where he can intervene when he is unstoppable. There he is the best.
“The players have to deliver the actions. With Kevin [De Bruyne] in his prime, Erling would be better.”
“I don’t have the feeling that he’s a guy who now he has the contract the is going to take a nap. He loves to play and is a huge competitor. His mindset is really good in the good and the bad and thinking of the next.”
Guardiola joked that he asked City’s director of football Txiki Begiristain to “repeat” himself when he was told Haaland had committed to a nine-and-a-half-year deal.
As City wait for the verdict in the 115 Premier League charges case having fallen out of title contention this season, the Catalan – who penned his own two-season extension last November – acknowledged a remarkable and lucrative show of commitment on the part of both player and club.
“It is exceptional news for all of us, for the club,” he said. “When one player decides to sign this type of contract, that’s never been done before, it’s because he wants to show how desperately he wants to be here.
“All the agents and players sign a one, two, three-year contract and then the next one. In 10 years many things can happen. It’s proof of confidence and trust in the club.”
Guardiola added: “He’s a special player. To find a player like Erling, it is so difficult to find a striker at that level. Once we have it, we make an effort to keep him. The club made a huge effort to have him and they decide.”
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