Haaland vs Mbappe - Heirs Apparent

Some stats for both players against the top teams in the biggest leagues (Games against the best teams in Italy (Juve, Napoli, Lazio, Atalanta, Inter), Germany (Leipzig, Dortmund, Bayern), Spain (Real Madrid, Sevilla, Barca, Atletico Madrid), France (PSG) and England (Man United, Liverpool, City, Spurs, Chelsea)):

Mbappe (PSG and Monaco)- 22 goals and 9 assists in 3165 minutes
0,63 goals/90
0,88 goals + assists/90

Haaland (Salzburg, Dortmund and City) - 22 goals and 3 assists in 1792 minutes
1,10 goals/90
1,26 goals + assists/90

KO stages in the CL:

Mbappe (PSG and Monaco): 15 goals and 3 assists in 1908 minutes
0,71goals/90
0,85 goals + assists/90

Haaland (Dortmund): 6 goals and 2 assists in 540 minutes
1,00 goals/90
1,33 goals+assists/90

Compared to the greats of the 2000's:

Ronaldo (Man United, Real Madrid and Juventus): 57 goals and 17 assists in 7537 minutes
0,68 goals/90
0,88 goals+assists/90

Messi (Barcelona and PSG): 49 goals and 14 assists in 6493 minutes
0,68 goals/90
0,87 goals+assists/90

Lewa (Dortmund and Bayern): 30 goals and 13 assists in 3768 minutes
0,72 goals/90
1,03 goals+assists/90

Just seen this on another forum, don't know the source or how accurate it is.

I surely cannot be the only one that thinks that Mbappé's decision to remain at PSG is going to bite him in the ass long-term?

From what I have seen this season his development seems to have stagnated. I can't see how that should change for the better if he remains at PSG.
He turns 24 in a few months so no longer a youngster.

Haaland is almost 2 years younger and already plays in a far more competitive league. Having played in 3 other leagues (Norwegian, Austrian and German) prior to his move to City as well.

For me I'd like to know how Mbappe does elsewhere. His record at other clubs and internationally does not tally with his PSG record.

This could partly be because he matured at PSG at club level, but what of France? Is playing for PSG the ultimate test?

Haaland is the more ruthless goalscorer because he does it everywhere. It doesn't even matter if he plays for crap like Norway it would seem. I also don't think it's like the old Ronaldo v Messi debate because I don't see Mbappe as a genius on the ball. He's good but not a genius so that makes the goalscoring argument far more compelling for me.

Abraxas said:

For me I'd like to know how Mbappe does elsewhere. His record at other clubs and internationally does not tally with his PSG record.

This could partly be because he matured at PSG at club level, but what of France? Is playing for PSG the ultimate test?

Haaland is the more ruthless goalscorer because he does it everywhere. It doesn't even matter if he plays for crap like Norway it would seem. I also don't think it's like the old Ronaldo v Messi debate because I don't see Mbappe as a genius on the ball. He's good but not a genius so that makes the goalscoring argument far more compelling for me.

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Mbappé's record for France is far more impressive than his record for clubs. He is fourth all time in assists and tenth in goals, outside of injuries he is likely to top both by the end of his international career.

Abraxas said:

For me I'd like to know how Mbappe does elsewhere. His record at other clubs and internationally does not tally with his PSG record.

This could partly be because he matured at PSG at club level, but what of France? Is playing for PSG the ultimate test?

Haaland is the more ruthless goalscorer because he does it everywhere. It doesn't even matter if he plays for crap like Norway it would seem. I also don't think it's like the old Ronaldo v Messi debate because I don't see Mbappe as a genius on the ball. He's good but not a genius so that makes the goalscoring argument far more compelling for me.

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His international record is very good, he won a World Cup as a key player, he won the Golden Boot in the Nations League. Ronaldo and Messi didn’t score a goal a game at international level, Ronaldo was nowhere near in his 20s and has just supercharged it in his mid to late 30s.

His record at other clubs - he scored 26 goals for Monaco, leading them to the CL semi final when he was 18?

Abraxas said:

I also don't think it's like the old Ronaldo v Messi debate because I don't see Mbappe as a genius on the ball. He's good but not a genius so that makes the goalscoring argument far more compelling for me.

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Personally, I think Mbappe is the closest thing to Il Fenomeno based on his combination of dribbling, close control and speed with the ball. And his decision making was out of this world when he was 18.

However, don't think he is (or will be) that focused on football and it may cost him in his later years. Hell, he might already peaked as crazy as that sounds.

Jim Beam said:

Personally, I think Mbappe is the closest thing to Il Fenomeno based on his combination of dribbling, close control and speed with the ball. And his decision making was out of this world when he was 18.

However, don't think he is (or will be) that focused on football and it may cost him in his later years. Hell, he might already peaked as crazy as that sounds.

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What makes you think that he is not that focused on Football when the one thing about him is that he obsessed with Football?

JPRouve said:

What makes you think that he is not that focused on Football when the one thing about him is that he obsessed with Football?

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More my gut feeling, could easily be wrong. Also, hopefully am wrong as I enjoy watching him at his best.

Jim Beam said:

However, don't think he is (or will be) that focused on football and it may cost him in his later years. Hell, he might already peaked as crazy as that sounds.

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As strange as this might seem, this is the feeling that I have as well. I don't really see him getting much better unless he moves to a stronger league where he will be tested more on a weekly basis.

Anyway I am one of those that never rated him anywhere close to as highly as the likes of Messi or even C. Ronaldo. For me he is in the tier of Henry with Henry having a superior career (naturally) and a higher top level as of now. Mbappé can obviously improve in both categories given his age. Time will tell.

I would even claim that Neymar is the superior football talent ability wise. Injuries and a lack of focus on football "destroyed" him but even nowadays (from what I have seen since his move to PSG) he has been overall their best attacking player in the past 5 years when fit.

There is just something unlikeable about Mbappé, maybe this has something to say in how I view him.

Haaland: Stronger physical version of older Madrid/Juve Ronaldo
Mbappe: Better end product version of younger United Ronaldo
As they grow older, will there ever be a point in time where they evolve into playing in the exact same manner?

ilrm said:

Haaland: Stronger physical version of older Madrid/Juve Ronaldo
Mbappe: Better end product version of younger United Ronaldo
As they grow older, will there ever be a point in time where they evolve into playing in the exact same manner?

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Current Mbappe has also similar to 2010-2013 version of Ronaldo( Mourinho’s version), especially in dribbling and runs.

KeanoMagicHat said:

His international record is very good, he won a World Cup as a key player, he won the Golden Boot in the Nations League. Ronaldo and Messi didn’t score a goal a game at international level, Ronaldo was nowhere near in his 20s and has just supercharged it in his mid to late 30s.

His record at other clubs - he scored 26 goals for Monaco, leading them to the CL semi final when he was 18?

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My point is he's not scoring at the rate Haaland does outside PSG. As soon as Haaland left Norway he's been scoring every game, for all clubs and internationally. It doesn't seem to matter at all to his ratio of goals per game. I don't see that in Mbappes record. I'm not saying it's bad, it's amazingly good and he's achieved more than Haaland due to the profile of club he is at, but that's likely to change soon at club level. There is also the possibility Haaland will redefine goalscoring to the point one goal a game is average fare for him. He could actually go beyond that, but we'll see.

Abraxas said:

For me I'd like to know how Mbappe does elsewhere. His record at other clubs and internationally does not tally with his PSG record.

This could partly be because he matured at PSG at club level, but what of France? Is playing for PSG the ultimate test?

Haaland is the more ruthless goalscorer because he does it everywhere. It doesn't even matter if he plays for crap like Norway it would seem. I also don't think it's like the old Ronaldo v Messi debate because I don't see Mbappe as a genius on the ball. He's good but not a genius so that makes the goalscoring argument far more compelling for me.

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Mpabbe has already won the world cup with memorable performances. He's young so he can win more, but his international record his already stellar. Yeah we would like to see him in La Liga or the PL but the owners have already bought him the fecking planet.

CruyffMaradonaMessi said:

As strange as this might seem, this is the feeling that I have as well. I don't really see him getting much better unless he moves to a stronger league where he will be tested more on a weekly basis.

Anyway I am one of those that never rated him anywhere close to as highly as the likes of Messi or even C. Ronaldo. For me he is in the tier of Henry with Henry having a superior career (naturally) and a higher top level as of now. Mbappé can obviously improve in both categories given his age. Time will tell.

I would even claim that Neymar is the superior football talent ability wise. Injuries and a lack of focus on football "destroyed" him but even nowadays (from what I have seen since his move to PSG) he has been overall their best attacking player in the past 5 years when fit.

There is just something unlikeable about Mbappé, maybe this has something to say in how I view him.

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Henry had the same style of play as Mbappe and he was amazing in the PL, i don't see why Mbappe couldn't do the same as his countryman in England.

If Mbappe played for City,Chelsea, or even current Arsenal he would be scoring for fun in England.

And unlike Haaland, Mbappe can dribble and can create chances for his team(even if his team isn't dominating the match), he isn't just about scoring.

General_Elegancia said:

Current Mbappe has also similar to 2010-2013 version of Ronaldo( Mourinho’s version), especially in dribbling and runs.

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Yep, definitely he gives that vibe.

Abraxas said:

My point is he's not scoring at the rate Haaland does outside PSG. As soon as Haaland left Norway he's been scoring every game, for all clubs and internationally. It doesn't seem to matter at all to his ratio of goals per game. I don't see that in Mbappes record. I'm not saying it's bad, it's amazingly good and he's achieved more than Haaland due to the profile of club he is at, but that's likely to change soon at club level. There is also the possibility Haaland will redefine goalscoring to the point one goal a game is average fare for him. He could actually go beyond that, but we'll see.

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He provides more than Haaland. He had the most goal contribution for the year 2021, more than Lewandowski, more than Benzema, and definitely more than Haaland who was injured for parts of it. All of that in a truly dysfunctional team under Pochettino.

Now, beyond the obvious, you're comparing a CF with someone who's not a CF. If you check their heat maps, they aren't comparable at all. To me, it's like comparing RvN to Neymar, they're just not the same type of player, but the numbers and contribution over 5 years are staggering. Not to mention Mbappe didn't even start as a goalscorer, he was a winger, then got put more centrally his first full pro season, then went to PSG and was a right-winger. He didn't play CF for France either during the WC. So it's strange to want to compare their records as goalscorer when one has always been one and the other has been on the left and right wing. Even now, Mbappe plays centrally, but he's not a CF either, he would actually benefit even more from playing with a true CF.
It's only because Mbappe is so productive that we're trying to make a comparison between the two, and that says more about Mbappe to me than it does Haaland, who's sole job is to be in the box and score goals. You get so much more, and they're still very close in their scoring.

Beyond the pitch, Mbappe's gone through far more than Haaland, the hype, the constant praise in the media now turned into constant criticism, and nothing has stopped him from getting better. Haaland has yet to deal with being in the spotlight quite like Mbappe has, and the pitfalls and trappings that may come with it. I think Haaland is now getting slightly overrated, especially if we try to pretend he is as good of a player like Mbappe, nevermind the CR7s or Messi out there. He is generational goalscorer who is in the best team in the world to get him plenty of chances. It's a perfect marriage. But this whole proving it in a tougher league is nonsense, because players of their quality would wreck whatever league they are in and Haaland is just the latest example of that. The PL is so overrated by some that I've been thoroughly enjoying Haaland showing just how much of a joke it is for players of that talent put in a team that's already been dominating that league for the past 5 years.

Mbappe is a player that would be very much suited to the Premier league or any team that plays vertical / counter attacking football. He lacks in the playmaking area but has astonishing speed and intelligence to get into scoring positions. His dribbling generally requires quite a bit of space compared to the absolute best dribblers. His attitude stinks though, it seems like the success has gotten to his head and that can ultimately lead to his downfall. As for comparisons to Ronaldo 9, he simply is not as good technically.

Haaland is the perfect no 9 and can go on to become the best out and out striker in history with his goal records. He lacks in other areas and ultimately that will limit how high he is rated as an allround footballer.

Gehrman said:

Mpabbe has already won the world cup with memorable performances. He's young so he can win more, but his international record his already stellar. Yeah we would like to see him in La Liga or the PL but the owners have already bought him the fecking planet.

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His only memorable performance was vs Argentina. He wasn’t good against Uruguay, Belgium or Croatia(despite scoring) and he certainly did not stand out in the group stages.

mshnsh said:

His only memorable performance was vs Argentina. He wasn’t good against Uruguay, Belgium or Croatia(despite scoring) and he certainly did not stand out in the group stages.

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He created the most chance vs Belgium and was easily one of the best players for France. Check the game.

Sayros said:

He created the most chance vs Belgium and was easily one of the best players for France. Check the game.

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I watched the wc and honestly the only performance that I would consider memorable was vs Argentina. Against Belgium, France as team weren't good and while Mbappe did create chances but it wasn't by any definition what you call memorable performance. Infact the only thing I do remember that was memorable was the back flick pass.

Anyway, although they won the tournament, France themselves weren't that good vs Croatia, Belgium, Uruguay, and in the group stages. Amongst the worst winners of the tournament alongside Italy in 2006. My opinion.

mshnsh said:

I watched the wc and honestly the only performance that I would consider memorable was vs Argentina. Against Belgium, France as team weren't good and while Mbappe did create chances but it wasn't by any definition what you call memorable performance. Infact the only thing I do remember that was memorable was the back flick pass.

Anyway, although they won the tournament, France themselves weren't that good vs Croatia, Belgium, Uruguay, and in the group stages. Amongst the worst winners of the tournament alongside Italy in 2006. My opinion.

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Winning the WC is everything, playing beautiful footy in the World Cup is so overrated... is not even funny.
Brazil 2002 was very meh as a team, cheated against Belgium and couldn't do anything against Turkey until turks got a player sent off due to Rivaldo shenanigans, still brazilians don't care about that, as they played beautiful football in 82 and still didn't win, their 94 side was very meh as a team as well, as pragmatic and defensive ad France 2018.

France 82 and 86 was beautiful to watch, still got knocked out by a very pragmatic german team that played hoof ball.

At the end of the day what matters is winning the WC, how you do it, it's another story... playing super offensive football doesn't secure anything, you win the WC by being solid in defense.

FrankFoot said:

Winning the WC is everything, playing beautiful footy in the World Cup is so overrated is not even funny.
Brazil 2002 was very meh as a team, cheated against Belgium and couldn't do anything against Turkey until turks got a player sent off due to Rivaldo shenanigans, still brazilians don't care about that, as they played beautiful football in 82 and still didn't win.

France 82 and 86 was beautiful to watch, still got knocked out by a very pragmatic german side that played hoof ball.

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FFS I have to defend Germany here.

They didn't play hoofball and were also brilliant on the ball and tactically. Now it's true that the games I have seen from France were great, it was an entertaining generation and you are right about international football, if you don't win you are essentially pointless, with a given tournament happening every 4 years, you can't purposely waste a tournament for the entertainment of neutrals.

mshnsh said:

I watched the wc and honestly the only performance that I would consider memorable was vs Argentina. Against Belgium, France as team weren't good and while Mbappe did create chances but it wasn't by any definition what you call memorable performance. Infact the only thing I do remember that was memorable was the back flick pass.

Anyway, although they won the tournament, France themselves weren't that good vs Croatia, Belgium, Uruguay, and in the group stages. Amongst the worst winners of the tournament alongside Italy in 2006. My opinion.

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Well as devastated as I’m sure he will be for not having been more memorable to you, it doesn’t change the fact you were wrong about his performance against Belgium. It’s one thing to have an opinion, it’s another to go against the facts.

FrankFoot said:

Winning the WC is everything, playing beautiful footy in the World Cup is so overrated... is not even funny.
Brazil 2002 was very meh as a team, cheated against Belgium and couldn't do anything against Turkey until turks got a player sent off due to Rivaldo shenanigans, still brazilians don't care about that, as they played beautiful football in 82 and still didn't win, their 94 side was very meh as a team as well, as pragmatic and defensive ad France 2018.

France 82 and 86 was beautiful to watch, still got knocked out by a very pragmatic german team that played hoof ball.

At the end of the day what matters is winning the WC, how you do it, it's another story... playing super offensive football doesn't secure anything, you win the WC by being solid in defense.

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Not necessarily playing beautifully but being the better team in most games interms of creating more and better chances and scoring goals. I'll give you an example: United under Ferguson didn’t necessarily play beautiful football buy overall they were dominant.

Sayros said:

Well as devastated as I’m sure he will be for not having been more memorable to you, it doesn’t change the fact you were wrong about his performance against Belgium. It’s one thing to have an opinion, it’s another to go against the facts.

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Even from those individual highlights, it is hardly what you call memorable. You are a PSG supporter. I needn't say more and end this argument.

mshnsh said:

Even from those individual highlights, it is hardly what you call memorable. You are a PSG supporter. I needn't say more and end this argument.

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Maybe the grades were given by PSG fans but the Guardian gave Mbappé an 8 out of 10 for this game while Whoscored gave him a 7.72. If it wasn't for poor finishing Mbappé would have had several assists during that game.

mshnsh said:

I watched the wc and honestly the only performance that I would consider memorable was vs Argentina. Against Belgium, France as team weren't good and while Mbappe did create chances but it wasn't by any definition what you call memorable performance. Infact the only thing I do remember that was memorable was the back flick pass.

Anyway, although they won the tournament, France themselves weren't that good vs Croatia, Belgium, Uruguay, and in the group stages. Amongst the worst winners of the tournament alongside Italy in 2006. My opinion.

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Makes you think what might have been if England hadn't totally fecked that second half

JPRouve said:

Maybe the grades were given by PSG fans but the Guardian gave Mbappé an 8 out of 10 for this game while Whoscored gave him a 7.72. If it wasn't for poor finishing Mbappé would have had several assists during that game.

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"hardly memorable"

Mbappe is toxic. Unless he sorts out his attitude he'll easily be overtaken by Haaland.

Imagine how toxic he's gonna get when he sees Haaland score 90 goals a season and win multiple CL for Real Madrid

Haaland easily

I voted Mbappe and I maintain that he’s more talented. He may ever have a longer career.

But Haaland is just scary. That fella does not give a Fcuk. He only wants to score goals and win things. He starts every game assuming he’ll score. He’s a Fcuking bully, should definitely get called for fouls far more. But while nobody is doing it, he’s demolishing very capable centre halves for shits and giggles.

You also get the feeling that when he wants to leave, he’ll
Just leave. He’ll get the best agent around to make it happen, and then Larap in goals until his last match, and just do the same in his next spot.

Mbappe also seems to have been dragged into being ‘Mr France’ for understandable reasons. Haaland has none of that.

Controversial opinion : I think they will both play for the same club next. If not immediately, certainly a 2-3 year overlap.

UnrelatedPsuedo said:

I voted Mbappe and I maintain that he’s more talented. He may ever have a longer career.

But Haaland is just scary. That fella does not give a Fcuk. He only wants to score goals and win things. He starts every game assuming he’ll score. He’s a Fcuking bully, should definitely get called for fouls far more. But while nobody is doing it, he’s demolishing very capable centre halves for shits and giggles.

You also get the feeling that when he wants to leave, he’ll
Just leave. He’ll get the best agent around to make it happen, and then Larap in goals until his last match, and just do the same in his next spot.

Mbappe also seems to have been dragged into being ‘Mr France’ for understandable reasons. Haaland has none of that.

Controversial opinion : I think they will both play for the same club next. If not immediately, certainly a 2-3 year overlap.

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I don’t think it’s that controversial.

Haaland won’t stay at City long (release clause too).

Can see both at Madrid

I voted Haaland. If he stays healthy he will break all the goal scoring record in EPL, and Mbappe is currently playing under the shadow of Neymar and Messi in PSG.

ThierryHenry14 said:

I voted Haaland. If he stays healthy he will break all the goal scoring record in EPL, and Mbappe is currently playing under the shadow of Neymar and Messi in PSG.

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Not if he stays at City for maybe 3 years

Would Haaland be able to maintain his current numbers if he were to play at PSG though? I'm not so sure about that. Even Messi needed a year to adjust to Ligue 1.

giorno said:

Imagine how toxic he's gonna get when he sees Haaland score 90 goals a season and win multiple CL for Real Madrid

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When can you buy him realistically?

Probably getting insecure Haaland is getting all the attention and he's been branded as a money grabbing whiny little sourpuss doing tricks in farmer's league.

He's way more than that, but his attitude does not help.

Desert Eagle said:

When can you buy him realistically?

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2025