Haaland must not be compared to Lewandowski and Messi, says Rose

Former RB Salzburg boss Marco Rose believes Erling Haaland shouldn’t be compared to Robert Lewandowski or Lionel Messi.

Haaland rose to prominence at Salzburg last season, averaging over a goal-per-game before his €20m January transfer to Borussia Dortmund.

The 20-year-old has since carried over his prolific form to Signal Iduna Park, scoring 21 goals in just 23 appearances. It’s sealed him a reputation as one of Europe’s biggest young prospects and a nomination for the Golden Boy award.

Despite his glowering reputation, however, Rose believes it’s essential Haaland be judged on his own merits rather than be compared to some of the biggest players on the planet in Lewandowski and Messi.

“He is an incredibly positive player. He arrived injured in Salzburg, fought his way up and then took off,” the former Salzburg coach told Goal.

“At his young age he can already carry a team and he radiates an enormous amount of energy. He is also a funny guy.

“But there are still many things he can learn – he knows that too. Nowadays he’s probably one of those players that you work in superlatives and make big comparisons with the likes of Robert Lewandowski or Leo Messi, but I wouldn’t see him that way.”

Haaland will be in action on Saturday afternoon for Dortmund’s trip to Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga.