The Norwegian superstar has taken the Premier League by storm since his arrival this summer.
Pep Guardiola has warned comparing Erling Haaland with Lionel Messi “doesn’t help” as they are different players.
Haaland’s start under Guardiola has stunned even his most die-hard fans. The Norway international has scored 14 goals in his first eight appearances in the Premier League.
A host of all-time records are now ready to be broken by the City star. But Guardiola believes that doesn’t mean Haaland and Messi are similar players.
“The people who compare Erling with Leo, I think we don’t help,” Guardiola said. “How many ‘new Messis’ appeared in the world of football since I started? Ten, 15?
“Always you fail. Erling has to do his own career, his own job. He’s a different player.”
Haaland scored another Champions League brace when City smashed Copenhagen 5-0 on Wednesday.
Guardiola says he doesn’t have a problem with answering questions about the start striker but believes such a focus could’ve been problematic if he was playing elsewhere.
“For me, it’s OK,” Guardiola said. “We’re fortunate that the guys who are here accept it perfectly. At other clubs, other people, would not like it.
“Here they are delighted. We have Kevin [De Bruyne] who is an exceptional person and is happy to have him, because both know they can be better playing alongside [each other].
“The same for all of them. We don’t have incredible players who say, ‘Why do they always talk about just him?’.
“This is why it’s a joy to train this type of players.”
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