Pep Guardiola compares Erling Haaland to Cristiano Ronaldo & Lionel Messi

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has likened superstar striker Erling Haaland to Cristiano Ronaldo, although he insists Lionel Messi remains a ‘more complete player’ than both. Yet where Haaland has the advantage is seemingly his happy and bright personality.

Already City’s all-time leading goalscorer in a single season, Haaland netted twice more in Saturday’s 4-1 over Southampton – including a stunning overhead kick.

That brace took his league tally for the season to 30 in only 27 appearances in the competition. The Norwegian could still play in up to nine further Premier League games and, scoring at the same rate as he has done so far, could add another 10 goals before the campaign wraps.

That would put Haaland on 40, which would smash the existing single season Premier League record of 34, jointly held by Andy Cole (1993/94) and Alan Shearer (1994/95). Those record tallies happened when it was a 42-game season. The record for a 38-game season is Mohamed Salah’s 32.

“In terms of the thesis of scoring goals. He’s quite similar in terms of Cristiano but Messi is the more complete player,” Guardiola explained.

“Messi can play wherever while Cristano and Erling are machines. Erling knows those two guys dominated over two decades not just one or two seasons, winning titles and doing everything. Football is a better place for Cristano and Messi for what they have done for our business, the traction of these two guys competing at the big clubs.

“Erling is arriving in the toughest league in the world. I can talk as I’ve been in other leagues and doing what he has done is remarkable.”

Guardiola obviously worked extensively with Messi at Barcelona and is better placed than most to directly compare Haaland to the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner. And it seems where Haaland has the edge on the all-time great is his positive mindset.

“Haaland is always happy, always smiling. Lionel Messi scored two but not three and was a bit sad because he didn’t score the third!” Guardiola explained.

“Erling is all the time in an incredible mood. Even in the bad moments at the beginning of this season when people said he couldn’t adapt, he arrived at training with a big smile and said hi to everyone. He has had an incredible impact, not just on the pitch.

“Every day in training sessions, in the locker room. I have the feeling that he is so happy with us. He never complains about [being taken off]. He respects me a lot.”

Reigning Premier League champions City remain five points behind leaders Arsenal, who face Liverpool on Sunday and will end the weekend having played one game more than their closest competitors.

Guardiola’s team are determined to win a third successive title, which has only been achieved on five occasions in more than 130 years of English league football – twice by Manchester United in the Premier League era, as well as Liverpool in the 1980s, Arsenal in the 1930s and Huddersfield in the 1920s.