LIONERL MESSI

Pep pays ultimate compliment as he compares his goal-den boy Haaland to Argentine superstar

- BY JEREMY CROSS

THE superlatives for Erling Haaland ran out a long time ago.

But Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola (above) could not resist handing Haaland the ultimate compliment when it came to his goal record.

Because there is no higher praise than being compared to Lionel Messi.

Most people regard Argentine icon Messi as the greatest footballer of all time.

And in terms of goals, Guardiola reckons Haaland is up there - or even ahead of Messi when it comes to the sheer volume of them.

For all but stoppage time of City's battering of Burnley, it looked like Haaland was going to break the habit of a lifetime and not find the net.

Then the Norwegian sensation came to his senses and helped himself to two goals to complete the rout.

The 25-year-old now has an astonishing 15 goals in just nine games for club and country this season.