Erling Haaland’s rise in world football has been nothing short of meteoric, but what goes on behind the scenes to keep him motivated is equally fascinating. In a candid reflection on his time with Pep Guardiola, Haaland revealed the motivational techniques used by his legendary manager—and it all comes back to one name: Lionel Messi.
Guardiola, who famously coached Messi during their golden years at Barcelona, has a unique way of inspiring Haaland. As Haaland explains:
> “Guardiola always motivates me with Messi. If I score a goal, he tells me Messi used to score three. If I score a hat-trick, he tells me you have to score a super hat-trick like Messi. If I win the Man of the Match award, he says you have to do it every game, like Messi used to.”
Haaland’s words reveal the high standards Guardiola sets, constantly pushing his players to reach the level of football’s greatest ever. But there’s more depth to this method than simply chasing Messi’s shadow. Guardiola’s goal is not to make Haaland a copy of Messi, but to push him to his own personal best.
> “He tells me in training that Messi is no longer around, but I try to push you as if he’s still playing. I want to make you a player who wins everything. I asked him, like Messi? He said, ‘No, I didn’t tell you to be like Messi. If I try to make you like Messi, I will ruin your career. I want you to only score goals. No one is like Messi. Every player who is compared to Messi has had his career ruined.'”
Guardiola’s obsession with Messi is clear—he respects Messi’s legacy as the best in football history—but he understands that trying to mold another player into Messi’s image would be a mistake. Instead, Guardiola focuses on enhancing Haaland’s natural talent.
> “Messi is a talent who doesn’t need anything. Guardiola is obsessed with Messi and loves him very much. When Guardiola trained me, I became sure that Messi is the best player in history because Guardiola does not make mistakes.”
What stands out in Haaland’s account is Guardiola’s honesty and wisdom. He recognizes Messi’s greatness, yet acknowledges that no player should ever be expected to replicate it. Guardiola’s approach isn’t about comparison, but about finding the best version of every player under his guidance.
Haaland’s words give us a glimpse into the genius of Pep Guardiola—a manager who knows how to bring out the best in his players by using football’s greatest example while allowing them to shine in their own unique way. As for Haaland, his trajectory suggests that while he might not be Messi, he’s carving out his own path toward becoming one of the modern greats.
Conclusion
The relationship between Haaland and Guardiola serves as a reminder that greatness doesn’t come from imitation but from developing your own talents. While Messi may be the ultimate benchmark, Guardiola’s vision for Haaland is clear: be your best self. Haaland’s continued dominance on the pitch proves that Pep’s motivational tactics are paying off, and the world is watching to see just how hi
gh Haaland can soar.
