Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland are widely considered to be the two best young strikers in world football at the moment. At 22 and 20 respectively, the pair are favourable options in the market, and are therefore set to dominate this summer’s transfer speculation.
But what do they actually think of each other?
Mbappe gave his verdict on the Norwegian’s potential to Esquire : “It’s his second year, we’re getting to know him. It’s the start for him. I’m happy for him, for what he’s doing.”
An element of that statement sounds somewhat patronising, but it certainly indicates that Mbappe understands how competition can be healthy and that rivalry only makes them both better players.
That much was emphasised when he spoke about the legacies set by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. “You do always compare yourself with the best in your sport, just as the baker compares himself with the best bakers around him,” he added.
“I watch matches of other great players to see what they’re doing. ‘I know how to do this, but can the other guy do it too?’ I think other players watch me, too. I think that pushes players to raise their game, just as Messi was good for Ronaldo and Ronaldo was good for Messi.”
Their rivalry will undoubtedly be spoken of in the future – providing they keep up their current form, of course – but there’s no telling what their immediate future holds just yet.
One thing is for certain, however, and that is if Haaland ends up at either Manchester United or Manchester City, that club will have a serious talent on their hands.
