Manchester City’s Erling Haaland and Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappé will be vying for the title of “best footballer in the world” over the next few years. As a result, football fans will have to take sides.
This phenomenon isn’t new, as football is coming off seeing Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi battle to be the top player in football during their prime years in La Liga.
Haaland spoke with France Football and tread lightly when discussing his budding rivalry. Of course, the outlet wants to know how it compares to Messi and Ronaldo’s, but the 2023 UEFA Champions League winner knew not to say anything out of the ordinary.
“That’s what everyone seems to think,” Haaland told the outlet. “But be careful, we must emphasize to what extent Messi and Cristiano have done crazy things. We also have to remember that they still do it because even if they get older, obviously, they remain fantastic players. I feel privileged to have been able to observe two champions as extraordinary as them.
“But, coming back to your question, I never talk about myself against other players. It’s not the way I am or see things. I focus on myself. I only seek to be better every day, continue to enjoy what I do, and be the best version of myself.”
🔥 Erling Haaland parle de l'émergence d'une nouvelle rivalité entre lui et Kylian Mbappé, qui rappelle les duels entre Messi et Cristiano Ronaldo à l'époque.
« C'est ce que tout le monde a l'air de penser. Mais attention, il faut souligner à quel point Messi et Cristiano ont… pic.twitter.com/X6HjbeJrFp
— Media Parisien (@MediaParisien) September 9, 2023
The only downside to the Haaland and Mbappé rivalry is that both players don’t compete in the same league. So the only way fans will see these two go head-to-head will be in the Champions League.
Nonetheless, each player’s accomplishments will be compared to each other, and right now, both have secured a major trophy. Mbappé won the 2018 FIFA World Cup, while Haaland won the Champions League last season.
Whoever wins more prominent silverware and individual honors could take the lead. Still, this should be a fun debate over these next few years.
