Erling Haaland compared to Lionel Messi, but this is why he’s a different goalscoring machine

The Manchester City striker added another two goals to his tally this season in the team’s 3-1 win over Bournemouth on Sunday, taking it to 17 goals in 13 matches this season.

Following last season’s campaign, where Haaland struggled to be at the forefront of the footballing conversation, this season, the Norwegian has taken it personally and is making it all about him both on and off the pitch with the recent launch of his YouTube channel.

Guardiola likens Haaland to legends Messi and Ronaldo

In his post-match press conference, City manager Pep Guardiola took his praise of Haaland to another level and compared him to two footballing legends.

“Has he reached that level? You see the numbers of that guy? Oh my God, yeah, of course, he's at their levels of the numbers from Cristiano and Messi.

"The difference of Cristiano and Messi, they have been doing it for 15 years. You see Messi still in MLS, he scores two or three goals every day. Cristiano and Saudi are the same.

"But he's at that level and without him, it would be tough."

Guardiola is one of the few people who can back up these comparisons having worked with Lionel Messi during Barcelona’s period of dominance. 

Barring any serious injuries which could derail Haaland’s career, then it would not be a shock if the Norwegian can post similar numbers to the likes of Messi and Ronaldo or possibly surpass them. But the numbers and statistics are where the comparisons can end, as Haaland is a different goal threat compared to two stalwarts of the global game, especially Messi. 

After wreaking havoc in the Austrian Bundesliga and Bundesliga with Red Bull Salzburg and Borussia Dortmund , Haaland arrived at City three years in what many deemed his first ‘test’.

Could he cope with the physicality of England’s top flight? Would he be able to adapt to a demanding schedule?

Already he has passed that test with flying colours with two Premier League titles, an FA Cup and UEFA Champions League, and it’s because he offers something different to Guardiola as a striker.

Why Haaland is a different type of striker compared to Messi

Compared to Messi, Haaland is a giant, at six foot, five inches, he is the perfect build for a typical striker, which has made him the focal point of City’s attacks.

Supported by the likes of Andres Iniesta, Xavi and Sergio Busquets, they would interchange with Messi as Barcelona pressed up the pitch, kept the ball and tired their opponents into submission.

Haaland, on the other hand, is one who does not get involved in the build-up. This is evident by the sometimes overreaction to the low number of touches he has during the game. His job is simply to score goals, not disrupt the build-up as there have been cases where it is a detriment to the team, Harry Kane dropping back for England being a prime example.

Instead, City aim to get the ball up to him as quickly as possible, giving Guardiola a direct outlet, something that is frequently not the case in his tactical philosophy which relies on more technically gifted players.

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Haaland’s first goal against Bournemouth was a result of City moving the ball through their half quickly and a headed flick by Rayan Cherki setting the galloping Viking on his way to slot the ball past Cherries goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic.

Haaland’s second was of a similar nature, getting the ball under control from the air, taking it around Petrovic before putting City 2-1 up after conceding to Bournemouth’s Tyler Adams.

While Haaland does have talent with his feet and is able to control the ball, don’t expect him to replicate any of Messi’s many iconic dribbles, which flood a YouTube search whenever Messi is typed in.

Haaland knows where his strengths lie, his physicality, speed and athleticism for a man of his stature make him a unique proposition up top for City and a difficult task for any opposition defence.

While he is banging goals in for fun on the pitch, Haaland is different to Messi when it comes to how he is perceived off it.

Haaland embracing social media off the pitch

At the age of 25, Haaland is part of the social media generation where marquee athletes are a brand. His Instagram boasts 38.7 million followers and his YouTube channel, which launched last week, already has close to one million subscribers, with his first two videos close to 10 million views.

It will be very difficult for Haaland to get close to the 507 million people who follow Messi on Instagram, but his social media activity gives fans an insight into him as a person, something which is a welcome change from the robotic nature of some footballers.

Football thrives on debate and Pep’s comparison of Haaland and Messi will no doubt be creating arguments for and against.

However, with Haaland’s goalscoring record so far, he has every right to be in the same bracket, but what makes this comparison so interesting are the two different styles.

Messi the dribbler, Haaland the battering ram, who has a great touch for a big man. One man coming to the end of his career, the other just getting started, this is a tale which will thrive for years to come.

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