Erling Haaland on Lionel Messi: A Football Perspective

As a striker always pushing my limits, I often get asked about Lionel Messi. It’s only natural, given his legendary status in the world of football. While our playing styles and career paths differ, there’s a shared passion for the beautiful game and a mutual respect that goes beyond the pitch.

The Messi Impact

It’s undeniable – Lionel Messi has redefined football for over a decade. His dribbling skills are mesmerizing, his passing laser-focused, and his goalscoring record speaks for itself. He’s a role model for aspiring footballers worldwide, myself included.

Growing up, I witnessed Messi’s genius firsthand, watching him dismantle defenses with Barcelona and Argentina. His ability to weave through opponents, create scoring chances from seemingly impossible angles, and consistently find the back of the net is something I’ve always admired.

Different Paths, Shared Passion

While Messi’s journey began in Barcelona’s youth academy, mine took shape across different leagues and countries. From Norway to Austria, then Germany and now England, I’ve embraced each challenge, honing my skills and striving for constant improvement. My focus: power, pace, and clinical finishing.

Haaland celebrates a goal with Manchester City

Despite our contrasting approaches, the underlying passion for football unites us. We both chase victory, strive to break records, and aim to inspire fans worldwide.

Learning from the Best

Observing Messi’s tactical awareness, his understanding of space, and his ability to dictate the tempo of the game has been invaluable. You can learn from any player, but when it’s someone of Messi’s caliber, you pay even closer attention. His work ethic and dedication to his craft are qualities I deeply respect and try to emulate in my own career.

Messi lifts the World Cup trophy

The Future of Football

As Messi continues to make his mark on the global stage, I focus on forging my own path. I’m driven by the desire to win titles with Manchester City and represent Norway on the international stage. Every goal, every victory is a step closer to fulfilling those ambitions.

The comparisons are inevitable, but ultimately, we’re both players driven by the love for the game, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible on the pitch. I have immense respect for Messi’s legacy, and I’m excited to be a part of football’s future, contributing my own chapter to its rich history.