What’s the story?

Well, according to journalist Eduardo Inda in Bernabeu Digital, not everything is rosy between Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola and his star striker Erling Haaland.

The reporter has claimed that Haaland was not impressed with the comments made by the City manager before the Ballon d’Or gala in October.

Messi won the prestigious award after leading Argentina to the 2022 Qatar World Cup.

Haaland helped City win the Premier League, the UEFA Champions League and the FA Cup last season.

In the build-up to the award ceremony, Guardiola made it clear that Messi was better than the other players in the world, suggesting that he should win the Ballon d’Or (Sky Sports).

Inda has claimed that Haaland was not happy with that.

The reporter said, as transcribed by SportWitness: “They tell me from the player’s entourage that there has been a certain disagreement with Guardiola since before the Ballon d’Or gala.

“Pep grandly praised Messi, saying that his worst season ‘Leo coincided with the best of Haaland’.

“(He) praised both of them, but he put in that phrase and Haaland was not amused. There is a certain distance from the coach. The relationship is not in a good moment. What you have to say is that the Ballon d’Or has to go to your star and not Leo Messi.”

Manchester City fans need not worry about Erling Haaland and Pep Guardiola

I personally do not think that there is any reason for Manchester City fans to be worried about Erling Haaland and Pep Guardiola.

Let me note that what is being reported about Haaland and Guardiola is from just one source in Spain. I have not seen another major news outlet make a similar claim about the City duo.

Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images

I think that Haaland is mature enough to understand what Guardiola meant when he made those comments about Messi.

Like us all, the £375,000-a-week (Spotrac) Norway international striker will be well aware of how good and legendary Messi is.

Of course, along with Kylian Mbappe, who has been linked with a move to City, Haaland is one of the greatest talents of the current generation, but I believe that the 23-year-old is humble and mature enough to understand that he is not at Messi’s level yet.