Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland are currently the two best young players in world football. The former has scored 187 goals in 269 matches at club level. Haaland, on the other hand, has racked up 129 strikes in 173 appearances.
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have dominated the goal-scoring charts for over a decade. The two youngsters are putting their best foot forward in a bid to create a similar sort of duopoly. The things they have achieved so far are staggering.
This decade could be all about the Kylian Mbappe-Erling Haaland duopoly
Both players were always bound to pit against each other. So far, though, neither of them has done anything that makes them an obvious pick over the other. Like fans, even current and retired footballers have had their say on this matter.
Let’s look at five famous footballers who prefer the 2018 World Cup winner over Haaland.
#5 Owen Hargreaves
Owen Hargreaves is a retired English footballer who played as a midfielder. Having played for Bayern Munich and Manchester United, Hargreaves knows a thing or two about playing at the highest level.
Hargreaves, who retired a decade ago, now works as a pundit for BT Sport. When asked to pick one between the two young superstars, he said:
“Mbappe is the better player. Haaland is going to score more goals, but Mbappe is the better player, the more beautiful player.”
The former defensive midfielder has a point. Haaland has a better goal-to-game ratio at Borussia Dortmund (1.01) than Mbappe at Paris Saint-Germain (0.76). However, the Frenchman is better at dribbling and chance creation. It will be interesting to see if Hargreaves’ statement stands the test of time.
#4 Micah Richards
Micah Richards burst onto the scene when he made his England debut at the age of 18. By doing so, he became the youngest defender to receive an English call-up.
Richards, who now works for Sky Sports, had his say on who among the Frenchman and the Norwegian is better. He said:
“This is so, so close to call. Again! I’m sticking with Mbappe. The hat-trick in Barcelona was Thierry Henry-esque. He’s ridiculous! But Haaland is ridiculous too! He’s like Shearer. He’ll get more goals, but Mbappe has got va-va-voom.”
The former Manchester City man could not live up to his potential as his career was plagued with injuries. Both Mbappe and Haaland will have to avoid the same (injuries) if they are to have a record on par with the likes of Ronaldo and Messi.
#3 Joe Cole
Joe Cole, just like Hargreaves, is a former English midfielder. The attacking midfielder became a teenage sensation at West Ham United before moving to London rivals Chelsea in 2003. He spent the majority of his prime years at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues cult hero serves as a coach for the reigning Champions League winners. He also chose the PSG man over Haaland when quizzed about it last year, saying:
“Good question. I’d like to have five years to answer that question. I’m going to go with Mbappe as the more rounded footballer.”
The French forward is more versatile and can do a job in any attacking position. Hence, Cole’s answer makes sense, as the 23-year-old has already shown signs of being a more balanced player. However, it may take five or more years to arrive at a prudent answer.
#2 Michael Owen
Michael Owen was an absolute star during his Liverpool days. The English striker won the Ballon d’Or at 21 and is the last Englishman to receive the award. To put things into perspective, Messi and Ronaldo won their first Ballon d’Or at 22 and 23, respectively.
Here’s what Owen had to say about the two young superstars:
“Mbappe is beautiful to watch, and I’d love to see him playing in my team every week. I think Mbappe could go on to become a way better player. But Haaland will probably score more goals in his career.”
The former Galactico is often seen donning the roles of sports pundit and commentator. Owen sabotaged his career by moving away from Anfield. He had underwhelming spells at Real Madrid and Manchester United.
With both youngsters’ futures uncertain, it is imperative for both players to choose the right club.
#1 Rio Ferdinand
Rio Ferdinand is arguably the best defender ever to grace the Premier League. Known for his graceful ball-playing ability, Ferdinand won a plethora of trophies at Manchester United. He now works as a television pundit for BT Sports.
During one of the shows, the centre-back said:
“Haaland will give you sleepless nights but not as much as Mbappe. He can do so many different things. Mbappe can embarrass you with a skill and take the mick. Then you don’t sleep after the game, let alone before the game.”
The 43-year-old has shared the field with some of the greatest players of the 21st century. Having come up against several world-class forwards, Ferdinand is the ideal person to ask such a question. While he believes that the PSG man is better than Haaland, only time will tell who becomes the superior footballer.
LOL France is faaar better than Norway and Mbappe won because of France. if he played for Norway he 100% wouldn’t win the World Cup. in the Nations leage he didn’t contribute. We saw him the Euro when he missed the penalty.
I’m not saying that Håland needs to win trophies for Norway. Let him do the bare minimum of helping them qualify for a World Cup. There are other good players in that Norway team like Ødegaard, Josh King, Elyounoussi, Ajer, Berge, Normann, Thorsby, etc. Those players I mentioned are good and they have every chance of qualifying for a World Cup or the Euro. But they haven’t managed that yet despite having someone as hyped up as Håland. If he’s worth his hype, he should be able to carry that team. And as for Mbappé, yes he played in an amazing France squad but he was arguably their best player in the tournament. Anyone who watched the World Cup games in 2018 would likely jump to the same conclusion because he was electric.
Kylian Mbappé has achieved a lot more than Erling Håland. It’s not about just team trophies but even in terms of individual contributions. Mbappé has already won the World Cup and Nations League for France while being a key contributor for his national side in both of these tournaments. He has also won league titles in Ligue 1 for both Monaco and PSG. What has Erling Håland achieved in his short career? What is his contribution to the Norway national team or Borussia Dortmund?
LOL France is faaar better than Norway and Mbappe won because of France. if he played for Norway he 100% wouldn’t win the World Cup. in the Nations leage he didn’t contribute. We saw him the Euro when he missed the penalty.
but you are only criticising Haaland not Mbappe. Mbappe is also playin in a rubbish league that’s why he is scoring lot’s of goals.
Kylian Mbappé has achieved a lot more than Erling Håland. It’s not about just team trophies but even in terms of individual contributions. Mbappé has already won the World Cup and Nations League for France while being a key contributor for his national side in both of these tournaments. He has also won league titles in Ligue 1 for both Monaco and PSG. What has Erling Håland achieved in his short career? What is his contribution to the Norway national team or Borussia Dortmund?
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CrUeL_Prince0
2022-03-12 21:36
Andy_Mac
I didn’t say that Mbappé plays in a competitive league but you did.but you are only criticising Haaland not Mbappe. Mbappe is also playin in a rubbish league that’s why he is scoring lot’s of goals.
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Andy_Mac 0
2022-03-12 21:24
CrUeL_Prince
so Mbappe plays in a competitive leage😂😂 Bundesliga is harder than League 1I didn’t say that Mbappé plays in a competitive league but you did.
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CrUeL_Prince0
2022-03-12 19:59
Andy_Mac
Facts! Håland is scoring a lot of goals now because he’s in that rubbish Bundesliga where it’s easy to score more goals than games played. Put him in a tougher league where the spaces are less, he will struggle. He doesn’t have the technical abilities to give well organised defences problemsso Mbappe plays in a competitive leage😂😂 Bundesliga is harder than League 1
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CrUeL_Prince0
2022-03-12 19:58
MohsinH47
mbappe is way better than haaland in every aspect. he already prove himself in every big stage. mbappe is a complete player. he can play anywhere and give many assist also. but haaland is just a clinical striker no 9. he won’t help you in another position. he just waiting for the ball. but mbappe runs with the ball.just like Ronaldo😂 Messi runs with the ball while Ronaldo waits for the goal. I don’t want to argue but just reminding you that Ronaldo is also all about goal but Rm fans say he is better than Messi
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SYDXX1
2022-03-12 18:48
mermabel
I think comparing haaland and mbappe is an insult to mbappe. mbappe has perform in top level for 5 years+, while haaland just start 2 years ago. mbappe has been consistent all season while haaland is suffering from injury time by time. let haaland get 2 more seasons playing at top level without injury then we can start the comprising. If injury continue to strike haaland everybody will forget about him, while if mbappe stop playing today he will be written in history bookMbappe🔥🔥🔥
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SYDXX0
2022-03-12 18:47
rohithirapur
Haaland has a lot to learn…that’s why I think he should go to city and learn under pep then after few years(that will be best version of him) maybe he could come to Madrid😁 ,bcz u know his agent is riola, he don’t stay at one club for long, ex:Zlatan…Pep and Halaand will not work . Halaad give me Zlatan vibes.
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miltonmilner54
2022-03-12 17:42
mbappe is the best compared to Haland in my opinion 😚🤗 I know some of you’ll not agree with me you’ll see that when he’ll come to Real Madridavatar
keedkmpsty0
2022-03-12 17:08
Kylian is like Cristiano while Haaland like Pepssii 😎avatar
kuhaclny0
2022-03-12 16:57
haaland is zlatan Ibrahimovic nothing elseavatar
kutbekmpyz 1
2022-03-12 16:24
rehaekorty
mpappe plays for psg in the farmers league. haaland does not play for bayern in the farmers league but still scores lots of goal. bundesliga is a more competitive league that the ligue 1. so their performances cannot be compared. for me haaland is better.have you seen mbappe at monaco???then you wont say that…he destroyed a psg with prime ibra,cavani and others..he won the league and reached champions league semifinal with monacco…won the world cup with france by scoring all the important goals at the age of 21…he is simply the next ronaldo nazario..
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TalhaFootball0
2022-03-12 16:00
mermabel
I think comparing haaland and mbappe is an insult to mbappe. mbappe has perform in top level for 5 years+, while haaland just start 2 years ago. mbappe has been consistent all season while haaland is suffering from injury time by time. let haaland get 2 more seasons playing at top level without injury then we can start the comprising. If injury continue to strike haaland everybody will forget about him, while if mbappe stop playing today he will be written in history bookyou won my heart bro ❤️
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rehaekorty2
2022-03-12 15:31
mpappe plays for psg in the farmers league. haaland does not play for bayern in the farmers league but still scores lots of goal. bundesliga is a more competitive league that the ligue 1. so their performances cannot be compared. for me haaland is better.avatar
Andy_Mac 0
2022-03-12 15:08
deoacklnsu
both are farmersThat’s true but Mbappé has the technical abilities to be successful even in the top leagues. We’ve seen him perform well in high profile tournaments like the World Cup, the Nations League, etc. And let’s not forget that he won Ligue 1 with Monaco at the age of 18. That’s impressive. Håland is yet to achieve anything with either club or country. Scoring a bunch of meaningless goals (mostly tap ins) doesn’t prove anything.
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MohsinH471
2022-03-12 15:04
Andy_Mac
Terrible comparison. Messi and Ronaldo were better technical players in their primewhat can you say. this kids just stating watching football after 2018.
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deoacklnsu0
2022-03-12 14:37
Andy_Mac
No ways. Mbappé is way better than overrated farmer Hålandboth are farmers
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ManUnited-Red0
2022-03-12 14:08
Andy_Mac
No ways. Mbappé is way better than overrated farmer Hålandfaxs lol
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rohithirapur 0
2022-03-12 14:07
Andy_Mac
I rate your comment really highly and you’re right. Mbappé is a much much better footballer than Håland. It’s easy to score goals in the Bundesliga. And moreover, these Bundesliga teams have more rest intervals between games as they play less fixtures across the whole season. So it becomes easier for them to compete in tournaments like the UCL. Håland isn’t as good as people make him out to be. I hear he’s moving to Man City next season. He will need to make some adjustments to PL football and it won’t be easy. He will need to run more.Haaland has a lot to learn…that’s why I think he should go to city and learn under pep then after few years(that will be best version of him) maybe he could come to Madrid😁 ,bcz u know his agent is riola, he don’t stay at one club for long, ex:Zlatan…
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Andy_Mac 0
2022-03-12 12:51
Zuodekos
u mean mbappe is like messi and haland like ronaldo..Terrible comparison. Messi and Ronaldo were better technical players in their prime
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Andy_Mac 1
2022-03-12 12:50
MohsinH47
mbappe is way better than haaland in every aspect. he already prove himself in every big stage. mbappe is a complete player. he can play anywhere and give many assist also. but haaland is just a clinical striker no 9. he won’t help you in another position. he just waiting for the ball. but mbappe runs with the ball.Facts! Håland is scoring a lot of goals now because he’s in that rubbish Bundesliga where it’s easy to score more goals than games played. Put him in a tougher league where the spaces are less, he will struggle. He doesn’t have the technical abilities to give well organised defences problems
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Andy_Mac 0
2022-03-12 12:49
ManUnited-Red
looks very closely for the start of a long term argumentNo ways. Mbappé is way better than overrated farmer Håland
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Andy_Mac 1
2022-03-12 12:48
mermabel
I think comparing haaland and mbappe is an insult to mbappe. mbappe has perform in top level for 5 years+, while haaland just start 2 years ago. mbappe has been consistent all season while haaland is suffering from injury time by time. let haaland get 2 more seasons playing at top level without injury then we can start the comprising. If injury continue to strike haaland everybody will forget about him, while if mbappe stop playing today he will be written in history bookI rate your comment really highly and you’re right. Mbappé is a much much better footballer than Håland. It’s easy to score goals in the Bundesliga. And moreover, these Bundesliga teams have more rest intervals between games as they play less fixtures across the whole season. So it becomes easier for them to compete in tournaments like the UCL. Håland isn’t as good as people make him out to be. I hear he’s moving to Man City next season. He will need to make some adjustments to PL football and it won’t be easy. He will need to run more.
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mermabel5
2022-03-12 09:14
I think comparing haaland and mbappe is an insult to mbappe. mbappe has perform in top level for 5 years+, while haaland just start 2 years ago. mbappe has been consistent all season while haaland is suffering from injury time by time. let haaland get 2 more seasons playing at top level without injury then we can start the comprising. If injury continue to strike haaland everybody will forget about him, while if mbappe stop playing today he will be written in history bookavatar
Zuodekos1
2022-03-12 09:07
MohsinH47
mbappe is way better than haaland in every aspect. he already prove himself in every big stage. mbappe is a complete player. he can play anywhere and give many assist also. but haaland is just a clinical striker no 9. he won’t help you in another position. he just waiting for the ball. but mbappe runs with the ball.u mean mbappe is like messi and haland like ronaldo..
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SirX 1
2022-03-12 08:25
both players have unique and different characteristics same to skill. for me, either I can buy haaland or mbappe, I will be happy if I can buy one of them. they such a great player for a new generation..avatar
ManUnited-Red1
2022-03-12 08:25
looks very closely for the start of a long term argumentavatar
Buemorsuz0
2022-03-12 07:45
Rio here is talking about things aside from goals but he’s always bias with Ronaldoavatar
MohsinH472
2022-03-12 07:32
mbappe is way better than haaland in every aspect. he already prove himself in every big stage. mbappe is a complete player. he can play anywhere and give many assist also. but haaland is just a clinical striker no 9. he won’t help you in another position. he just waiting for the ball. but mbappe runs with the ball.avatar
Champion881
2022-03-12 07:28
New era is coming between those 2avatar
NaimwakaAndrewCoc2
2022-03-12 07:18
Kylian Mbappe best in the world