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Sport is defined by great rivalries. Borg v McEnroe, Senna v Prost, Bird v Johnson. I could go on, but you get the gist. Few, however, reached the pinnacle and lasted as long at the top as Lionel Messi v Cristiano Ronaldo. The pair defined their era, each pushing the other to new heights. And now we have Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland. Since they emerged on the scene, their exploits have been compared and a new rivalry forged. It’s just the nature of football – always looking for the next best thing. And now that Messi and Ronaldo have exited the Champions League stage they are filling the void.
Now this may be nostalgia speaking, but nothing will ever live up to the Messi v Ronaldo rivalry in my eyes. And in no way am I insinuating that they’re fully out the door yet. But the fact is that there will never be players quite like them. However, I can confidently say that Mbappé and Haaland are definitely living up to the billing as the star attractions for this new era. Their competition will define this generation.
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On Matchday 1 this season, Haaland became the quickest player to reach 50 Champions League goals. Just a couple months later, he also set the benchmark as the fastest player to reach 100 in the Premier League – in just 111 appearances. Mbappé, meanwhile, leads the Champions League scoring charts with nine goals in just five league phase games so far. Four of those came in a single scintillating display against Olympiacos last time out, when he scored the second fastest hat-trick in UCL history. Just a week later against Athletic Club in the league, he also scored a superb solo goal and a long-range screamer to take his tally for the calendar year to 62.
Now the pair face off on Matchday 6 when Real Madrid host Manchester City. It could be quite a show. Given Haaland’s scoring rate in the Champions League at above a goal a game, and Mbappé closing in on fifth spot in the all-time scoring – there’s every chance they’ll both go on to break their predecessors’ goal records.
Sport is defined by great rivalries. Borg v McEnroe, Senna v Prost, Bird v Johnson. I could go on, but you get the gist. Few, however, reached the pinnacle and lasted as long at the top as Lionel Messi v Cristiano Ronaldo. The pair defined their era, each pushing the other to new heights. And now we have Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland. Since they emerged on the scene, their exploits have been compared and a new rivalry forged. It’s just the nature of football – always looking for the next best thing. And now that Messi and Ronaldo have exited the Champions League stage they are filling the void.
Now this may be nostalgia speaking, but nothing will ever live up to the Messi v Ronaldo rivalry in my eyes. And in no way am I insinuating that they’re fully out the door yet. But the fact is that there will never be players quite like them. However, I can confidently say that Mbappé and Haaland are definitely living up to the billing as the star attractions for this new era. Their competition will define this generation.
On Matchday 1 this season, Haaland became the quickest player to reach 50 Champions League goals. Just a couple months later, he also set the benchmark as the fastest player to reach 100 in the Premier League – in just 111 appearances. Mbappé, meanwhile, leads the Champions League scoring charts with nine goals in just five league phase games so far. Four of those came in a single scintillating display against Olympiacos last time out, when he scored the second fastest hat-trick in UCL history. Just a week later against Athletic Club in the league, he also scored a superb solo goal and a long-range screamer to take his tally for the calendar year to 62.
Now the pair face off on Matchday 6 when Real Madrid host Manchester City. It could be quite a show. Given Haaland’s scoring rate in the Champions League at above a goal a game, and Mbappé closing in on fifth spot in the all-time scoring – there’s every chance they’ll both go on to break their predecessors’ goal records.
At this point in time, Mbappé seems to be the more complete player. In terms of pure goalscoring presence, yes Haaland is incredibly lethal and reliable, but if I had to pick one to build a team around, Mbappé seems far more likely to conjure something out of nothing than his Norwegian counterpart, thanks to his superior dribbling and versatility in the spaces he can operate from. But if there’s one thing about Haaland, it’s that he will keep evolving, upgrading his software if you will.
You also can’t ignore Mbappé’s spectacular record against Manchester City, going all the way back to his Monaco days when he scored twice against City in that thrilling round of 16 tie in 2017 which the French side won on away goals following a 6-6 draw on aggregate. And in Real Madrid’s knockout phase play-off clash with City last year, the Frenchman was unplayable as he bagged a hat-trick in the second leg to take his tally against the Cityzens to seven goals in seven games. By contrast, Haaland has not been prolific by his lofty standards against Los Blancos, netting twice in five appearances against them.
Messi and Ronaldo’s rivalry represents something ethereal and unquantifiable to me. What this new rivalry between Haaland and Mbappe stands for is something more scientific – it is the peak of performance supplemented by the advancements of our sport. Haaland’s incredible power and instinct against Mbappé’s electrifying pace and trickery. It’s also a different dynamic given that they don’t play for direct domestic rivals like Messi and Ronaldo used to. However, with the number of times City and Madrid have faced each other in Europe recently, they are establishing a modern club rivalry themselves.
Both Madrid and City are vulnerable at the back at the moment and both are at interesting crossroads tactically. So, expect goals. And while my money’s on Mbappé this time, these guys are only in their mid-20s and this rivalry has a long way to run before we know who claims the upper hand. In the meantime, sit back and enjoy the fun. It should be a good one.
Sport is defined by great rivalries. Borg v McEnroe, Senna v Prost, Bird v Johnson. I could go on, but you get the gist. Few, however, reached the pinnacle and lasted as long at the top as Lionel Messi v Cristiano Ronaldo. The pair defined their era, each pushing the other to new heights. And now we have Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland. Since they emerged on the scene, their exploits have been compared and a new rivalry forged. It’s just the nature of football – always looking for the next best thing. And now that Messi and Ronaldo have exited the Champions League stage they are filling the void.
Now this may be nostalgia speaking, but nothing will ever live up to the Messi v Ronaldo rivalry in my eyes. And in no way am I insinuating that they’re fully out the door yet. But the fact is that there will never be players quite like them. However, I can confidently say that Mbappé and Haaland are definitely living up to the billing as the star attractions for this new era. Their competition will define this generation.
On Matchday 1 this season, Haaland became the quickest player to reach 50 Champions League goals. Just a couple months later, he also set the benchmark as the fastest player to reach 100 in the Premier League – in just 111 appearances. Mbappé, meanwhile, leads the Champions League scoring charts with nine goals in just five league phase games so far. Four of those came in a single scintillating display against Olympiacos last time out, when he scored the second fastest hat-trick in UCL history. Just a week later against Athletic Club in the league, he also scored a superb solo goal and a long-range screamer to take his tally for the calendar year to 62.
Now the pair face off on Matchday 6 when Real Madrid host Manchester City. It could be quite a show. Given Haaland’s scoring rate in the Champions League at above a goal a game, and Mbappé closing in on fifth spot in the all-time scoring – there’s every chance they’ll both go on to break their predecessors’ goal records.
Sport is defined by great rivalries. Borg v McEnroe, Senna v Prost, Bird v Johnson. I could go on, but you get the gist. Few, however, reached the pinnacle and lasted as long at the top as Lionel Messi v Cristiano Ronaldo. The pair defined their era, each pushing the other to new heights. And now we have Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland. Since they emerged on the scene, their exploits have been compared and a new rivalry forged. It’s just the nature of football – always looking for the next best thing. And now that Messi and Ronaldo have exited the Champions League stage they are filling the void.
Now this may be nostalgia speaking, but nothing will ever live up to the Messi v Ronaldo rivalry in my eyes. And in no way am I insinuating that they’re fully out the door yet. But the fact is that there will never be players quite like them. However, I can confidently say that Mbappé and Haaland are definitely living up to the billing as the star attractions for this new era. Their competition will define this generation.
On Matchday 1 this season, Haaland became the quickest player to reach 50 Champions League goals. Just a couple months later, he also set the benchmark as the fastest player to reach 100 in the Premier League – in just 111 appearances. Mbappé, meanwhile, leads the Champions League scoring charts with nine goals in just five league phase games so far. Four of those came in a single scintillating display against Olympiacos last time out, when he scored the second fastest hat-trick in UCL history. Just a week later against Athletic Club in the league, he also scored a superb solo goal and a long-range screamer to take his tally for the calendar year to 62.
Now the pair face off on Matchday 6 when Real Madrid host Manchester City. It could be quite a show. Given Haaland’s scoring rate in the Champions League at above a goal a game, and Mbappé closing in on fifth spot in the all-time scoring – there’s every chance they’ll both go on to break their predecessors’ goal records.
Sport is defined by great rivalries. Borg v McEnroe, Senna v Prost, Bird v Johnson. I could go on, but you get the gist. Few, however, reached the pinnacle and lasted as long at the top as Lionel Messi v Cristiano Ronaldo. The pair defined their era, each pushing the other to new heights. And now we have Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland. Since they emerged on the scene, their exploits have been compared and a new rivalry forged. It’s just the nature of football – always looking for the next best thing. And now that Messi and Ronaldo have exited the Champions League stage they are filling the void.
Now this may be nostalgia speaking, but nothing will ever live up to the Messi v Ronaldo rivalry in my eyes. And in no way am I insinuating that they’re fully out the door yet. But the fact is that there will never be players quite like them. However, I can confidently say that Mbappé and Haaland are definitely living up to the billing as the star attractions for this new era. Their competition will define this generation.
On Matchday 1 this season, Haaland became the quickest player to reach 50 Champions League goals. Just a couple months later, he also set the benchmark as the fastest player to reach 100 in the Premier League – in just 111 appearances. Mbappé, meanwhile, leads the Champions League scoring charts with nine goals in just five league phase games so far. Four of those came in a single scintillating display against Olympiacos last time out, when he scored the second fastest hat-trick in UCL history. Just a week later against Athletic Club in the league, he also scored a superb solo goal and a long-range screamer to take his tally for the calendar year to 62.
Now the pair face off on Matchday 6 when Real Madrid host Manchester City. It could be quite a show. Given Haaland’s scoring rate in the Champions League at above a goal a game, and Mbappé closing in on fifth spot in the all-time scoring – there’s every chance they’ll both go on to break their predecessors’ goal records.
At this point in time, Mbappé seems to be the more complete player. In terms of pure goalscoring presence, yes Haaland is incredibly lethal and reliable, but if I had to pick one to build a team around, Mbappé seems far more likely to conjure something out of nothing than his Norwegian counterpart, thanks to his superior dribbling and versatility in the spaces he can operate from. But if there’s one thing about Haaland, it’s that he will keep evolving, upgrading his software if you will.
You also can’t ignore Mbappé’s spectacular record against Manchester City, going all the way back to his Monaco days when he scored twice against City in that thrilling round of 16 tie in 2017 which the French side won on away goals following a 6-6 draw on aggregate. And in Real Madrid’s knockout phase play-off clash with City last year, the Frenchman was unplayable as he bagged a hat-trick in the second leg to take his tally against the Cityzens to seven goals in seven games. By contrast, Haaland has not been prolific by his lofty standards against Los Blancos, netting twice in five appearances against them.
Messi and Ronaldo’s rivalry represents something ethereal and unquantifiable to me. What this new rivalry between Haaland and Mbappe stands for is something more scientific – it is the peak of performance supplemented by the advancements of our sport. Haaland’s incredible power and instinct against Mbappé’s electrifying pace and trickery. It’s also a different dynamic given that they don’t play for direct domestic rivals like Messi and Ronaldo used to. However, with the number of times City and Madrid have faced each other in Europe recently, they are establishing a modern club rivalry themselves.
Both Madrid and City are vulnerable at the back at the moment and both are at interesting crossroads tactically. So, expect goals. And while my money’s on Mbappé this time, these guys are only in their mid-20s and this rivalry has a long way to run before we know who claims the upper hand. In the meantime, sit back and enjoy the fun. It should be a good one.
Sport is defined by great rivalries. Borg v McEnroe, Senna v Prost, Bird v Johnson. I could go on, but you get the gist. Few, however, reached the pinnacle and lasted as long at the top as Lionel Messi v Cristiano Ronaldo. The pair defined their era, each pushing the other to new heights. And now we have Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland. Since they emerged on the scene, their exploits have been compared and a new rivalry forged. It’s just the nature of football – always looking for the next best thing. And now that Messi and Ronaldo have exited the Champions League stage they are filling the void.
Now this may be nostalgia speaking, but nothing will ever live up to the Messi v Ronaldo rivalry in my eyes. And in no way am I insinuating that they’re fully out the door yet. But the fact is that there will never be players quite like them. However, I can confidently say that Mbappé and Haaland are definitely living up to the billing as the star attractions for this new era. Their competition will define this generation.
On Matchday 1 this season, Haaland became the quickest player to reach 50 Champions League goals. Just a couple months later, he also set the benchmark as the fastest player to reach 100 in the Premier League – in just 111 appearances. Mbappé, meanwhile, leads the Champions League scoring charts with nine goals in just five league phase games so far. Four of those came in a single scintillating display against Olympiacos last time out, when he scored the second fastest hat-trick in UCL history. Just a week later against Athletic Club in the league, he also scored a superb solo goal and a long-range screamer to take his tally for the calendar year to 62.
Now the pair face off on Matchday 6 when Real Madrid host Manchester City. It could be quite a show. Given Haaland’s scoring rate in the Champions League at above a goal a game, and Mbappé closing in on fifth spot in the all-time scoring – there’s every chance they’ll both go on to break their predecessors’ goal records.
