Striker Erling Haaland denied the possibility of forming a new rivalry in football with Kylian Mbappe, like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo did.

Haaland (right) and Mbappe are among the world’s biggest stars. Photo: Goal

At the age of 23, Haaland is expected to be a new generation superstar of world football, following in the footsteps of Messi or Ronaldo. Last season, the Norwegian striker scored 52 goals in 53 matches in all competitions, helping Man City win the treble of Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League. Thanks to that, he won all individual titles, including Best Player and Outstanding Young Player of the Premier League 2022-2023, awarded by the tournament organizers, Best Player in English Football this season by the Journalists Association. English Football (FWA) and the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) voted, Champions League top scorer and European Golden Shoe. Along with Messi, Haaland is leading the 2023 Golden Ball race.

Mbappe is considered the only player high enough to compete with Haaland in the coming years. The 24-year-old striker shined when France won the 2018 World Cup and reached the final in 2022. At club level, he is PSG’s number one star, scoring 212 goals and 98 assists in 260 matches in all competitions, helping The French capital team won five Ligue 1, three National Cups, two League Cups and two National Super Cups.

“That’s what everyone thinks, but it’s important to emphasize what crazy things Messi and Ronaldo have accomplished. And it’s also important to remember that they keep doing it even as they get older. They are extraordinary players,” Haaland told France Football when asked about the expectation of forming a rival pair like Messi – Ronaldo with Mbappe. “I never compare myself to other players. That’s not how I see things. I focus on myself, trying to do better every day. That way, I enjoy what I do and become become the best version of yourself”.

In his second season playing for Man City, Haaland is still the main gun of the Etihad Stadium team. Through four Premier League rounds, the Norwegian striker scored six goals. Meanwhile, Mbappe also had five goals after three matches in Ligue 1. Although he affirmed that he does not care about what other players do, Haaland admitted that he spends most of his time watching football. “It can be said that football takes up all my time on and off the field. I like to watch other players play. However, due to competing and recovering, I don’t have much free time,” I said.