Lionel Messi is one of the greatest soccer players to ever grace the beautiful game. The goals he has scored, and the awards he has won, truly make him a strong contender for one of the greatest athletes in all sports categories even.
Over the years, there have been many players who fans have claimed were the “Next Messi” or the “Next Cristiano Ronaldo”. However, the two players have remained consistent throughout the last two decades and have proven that there are no other players like them.
Similarly, Messi‘s former manager Pep Guardiola thinks so too. In an interview, he spoke about Messi and compared him to his best player right now, Erling Haaland.
Pep Guardiola believes no one comes close to Lionel Messi
During the interview, Pep was asked if Haaland was the most complete striker he had coached to date. The Spanish coach replied, “And Messi? Absolutely the numbers are incredible and unbelievable. There’s no doubt about his [Haaland] quality. He’s not the best but he’s one of the best for sure.”
Given the way he has portrayed himself during the games, Haaland has caused many soccer fans across the world to wonder whether he is the next great after Messi and Ronaldo. Despite the claims, Pep doesn’t seem to think that way. He believes that Messi is the most complete player and that Haaland is only one of the best.
Messi’s legacy might be too far for Haaland to touch but if we’re being honest, the latter is a completely different player. He’s more of a goal-poacher than Messi, who plays the role of a playmaker as well as a center-forward. This explains why Haaland will be in a league of his own and the only one of his kind, like Messi.