Erling Haaland vs Kylian Mbappe is – for many fans – the next big player rivalry in football.
The Manchester City striker and the Real Madrid number nine are all set to take over from Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, after the pair spent years at the top.
Haaland is now in his third season at City and has enjoyed a terrific stint so far.
Mbappe joined Real Madrid ahead of the 2024/25 season as a free agent, following a spell with Paris Saint-Germain.
Last night, Manchester City took on Real Madrid in the Champions League in the first leg of the knockout play-offs.
It was the first time Haaland and Mbappe have faced each other with their current clubs and both got the scoresheet in the 3-2 win for Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium.
Just ahead of the game, Thierry Henry suggested which player he would take if he was a manager.
Thierry Henry chooses out of Haaland and Mbappe as Man City lose in Champions League to Real Madrid
City were beaten 3-2 last night in the first leg of the knockout play-offs.
Pep Guardiola’s side snatched defeat from the jaws of victory having been 2-1 up with 10 minutes to go.
But goals from Brahim Diaz and Jude Bellingham turned the tie on its head.
Haaland scored both of City’s goals, with his second coming from the penalty spot, and Mbappe scored Real Madrid’s equaliser.
It was perhaps inevitable that both of the big hitters would get on the scoresheet last night, and the debate continues as to who the better player is.
The pair were discussed by the CBS Golazo team ahead of the game, and Thierry Henry was asked which player he’d take if he was a manager.
He said: “Mbappe all day. I tell you why, because he does offer different options for a coach. He can play on the right, he can play on the left, he can play in the middle. can Haaland play any other position that playing as a nine?
“Let me ask you a question, who would you prefer to mark?
Previously, Henry has suggested Haaland can shield the ball better for Manchester City.
Haaland vs Mbappe goal record
Haaland edged Mbappe in last night’s game in terms of goals.
But what about the pair’s goalscoring records overall to date?
| Haaland for club & country | Mbappe for club & country |
| Appearances & caps – 354 | Appearances & caps – 505 |
| Goals – 290 | Goals – 362 |
With Mbappe (27) being slightly older than the Norwegian (24), he is the player with more goals at the moment.
The French superstar has plundered 314 goals in 419 games at club level so far, across spells with AS Monaco, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid.
| Haaland this season (Man City) | Mbappe this season (Real Madrid) |
| Appearances – 34 | Appearances – 35 |
| Minutes played – 2989 | Minutes played – 2875 |
| Goals – 27 | Goals – 23 |
| Assists – 2 | Assists – 3 |
Haaland has scored 252 goals in 315 games for Bryne, Molde, Borussia Dortmund and City.
For their national teams, Haaland has 38 goals in 39 caps, while Mbappe is not quite as prolific with 48 in 86.
