Why Guardiola Believes Haaland’s Humility Sets Him Apart from Every Other World-Class Player

When you stumble upon a player whose presence on the field is nothing short of mesmerizing, and off it, their humility remains untouched, you know you’re witnessing something special. That’s exactly the case with Erling Haaland right now. Pep Guardiola, no stranger to greatness himself, isn’t shy about singing Haaland’s praises, highlighting how rare it is to find a true world-class talent wrapped in such modesty. The Norwegian is ripping through the season with 13 goals in 10 Premier League matches and already finding the net multiple times in the Champions League. Now, with City gearing up to face Dortmund — his old stomping grounds — Haaland has a golden chance to etch his name into history books by continuing his unprecedented scoring streak across three different clubs. Pep’s tactical brilliance shines here too, adapting effortlessly to Haaland’s powerful style without breaking a sweat — a testament to the striker’s unmatched abilities. It’s moments like these that make following the beautiful game utterly thrilling. LEARN MORE.

Pep Guardiola was full of praise for Manchester City striker Erling Haaland, claiming it is difficult to find a “real world-class player” who is “incredibly humble”.

Haaland has enjoyed another fast start to the season, scoring 13 goals in 10 Premier League games and four times in three Champions League appearances.

City’s next match is against Haaland’s former side, Borussia Dortmund, and the Norwegian striker could make some history against the Bundesliga outfit.

Haaland could become the first player to score in five consecutive Champions League appearances for as many as three different teams, having previously done so for RB Salzburg (November 2019, five games) and Dortmund (March 2021, six games).

Guardiola believes that having a player with Haaland’s quality on the pitch and personality off it is quite rare.

“It is difficult to find a real, real world-class player that is incredibly humble and thinks what is the best for the team,” said Guardiola.

“It is difficult to find. When a player has this kind of ability and the talent and generosity and kindness, whatever you want to say and Erling is like that.

“Normally a striker just thinks of goals, goals, goals. Of course he has to score goals, that is obviously clear. But he signed a contract for 10 years and the more he is involved in many things will be better for him and the club.”

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Guardiola is unbeaten in his last 10 games against Dortmund across all competitions (W6 D4), with his most recent defeat against them coming in the 2014 Franz Beckenbauer Super Cup final.

All three of his defeats in 15 total matches against Dortmund (W8 D4) came between 2013 and 2014 during Jurgen Klopp’s reign.

The Spaniard was asked how he adapted his tactics to Haaland’s style of play, but insisted it was not a challenge.

Guardiola added: “I played with false-9s with [Lionel] Messi. I played with false-9 with [Robert] Lewandowski, I played that way with Sergio Aguero and here with Phil Foden and now with Erling we cannot play that way because he is too good.”