PEP: HAALAND HAS MESSI’S HUNGER

PEP GUARDIOLA believes Erling Haaland has the same hunger for goals as living legend Lionel Messi.

Guardiola managed Messi at Barcelona and believes Haaland has the same traits as one of the greatest players of all time. Haaland has now plundered an astonishing 50 goals in his debut season with Manchester City to help them challenge for a Treble.

Messi (inset) scored 50-plus goals on six occasions in a glorious nine-year spell at Barca, including 73 in the 2011-12 season, which was Guardiola’s last at the Nou Camp.

Guardiola admits Haaland (left, with his boss) reminds him of Messi in terms of his mindset and desire.

Asked about Haaland’s similarities to Messi, Guardiola said: “In terms of goals and mentality, yeah.

“Messi has done it every season in the last 10 to 15 years. But Erling has got to the same level in terms of goals.

“Messi is the most complete player I have seen in terms of vision, dribbles, passes, competitiveness, in many things that are difficult.

“But hopefully Erling can be close to being like Leo.” Haaland has 34 Premier League goals this season, matching the record held by Alan Shearer and Andy Cole.

He needs one more to claim it outright and it could come tonight when City host West Ham looking to strengthen their grip on the title race.

Messi was last night suspended by Paris StGermain for two weeks after travelling to Saudi Arabia without permission.

It is understood the Argentine star, 35, asked to make the journey for commercial reasons but was refused.

Messi has a role as a tourism ambassador for Saudi Arabia.