‘Give Eguavoen the Nigeria permanent job, Napoli will regret their actions on Osimhen’ 

Garnacho's new role & no Rashford: How Amorim's Utd should line up

Bet9ja Promotion Code B9GOAL in November 2024: Get 170% Multiple Boost

Rooney risked it all with shock Plymouth move - is Man Utd dream still alive?

Vinícius Júnior’s imperfect conception

Miami must make Messi happy for what could be his final run

Messi set for Barcelona return after Laporta's personal invite

What next for Dele? Forgotten man's battle to save his career

CR7 reveals identity of YouTube guest to 'break the internet'

Transfers LIVE: Man City set to beat Real Madrid to Wirtz

Rodri weighs in on the GOAT debate between Messi & Ronaldo

Amorim 'stunned' by lack of intensity in Man Utd training

Messi loses his cool & repeats Weghorst insult after slap from Peru defender

Manchester City

Manchester United

Liverpool

Arsenal

Chelsea

Other

Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Argentine &amp; Portuguese stars have dominated</li><li>New generation coming through</li><li>Don't focus on how others are getting on</li></ul>

Man City sensation Erling Haaland explains why battle with PSG superstar Kylian Mbappe isn’t the new Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo

Ligue 1

Paris Saint-Germain

Toulouse

Premier League

Tottenham

The Manchester City striker has become a modern day sensation, with prolific spells at Red Bull Salzburg and Borussia Dortmund being <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/jude-bellingham-real-madrid-and-10-most-impactful-signings-past-10-years/blt37f970f6e0dde747" target="_blank">replicated in English football</a>. Haaland <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/erling-haaland-join-real-madrid-2024-man-city-striker-agent-responds-transfer-talk/blt02ad538723ec16f8" target="_blank">hit 56 goals for club and country in 2022-23</a>, edging him two efforts clear of Paris Saint-Germain superstar Mbappe when it comes to collective tallies.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Haaland and Mbappe are expected to become the next icons of the football world, as Messi and Ronaldo approach the end of their remarkable careers, but the Norwegian hot shot insists that he pays little attention to the exploits of a supposed rival. Haaland has told <a href="https://www.lequipe.fr/France-Football/Article/Erling-haaland-j-ai-pleure-pour-la-premiere-fois-depuis-longtemps/1417883 " target="_blank">France Football</a> when asked about <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/news/kylian-mbappe-vs-erling-haaland-future-star-football-stats/2hmehqsq6er4185zhpbovg4xk" target="_blank">duelling with Mbappe</a>: “That's what everyone thinks, but you have to emphasise just how crazy the things Messi and Cristiano have done. You also have to remember that they're still doing it, even if they're getting older. They're still fantastic players. But I never talk about myself being against other players, it's not my way of seeing things. I focus on myself, I only try to be better every day, to continue enjoying what I do and being the best version of myself.”

WHAT THEY SAID

While Haaland rarely focuses on what Mbappe is up to, he does enjoy watching those performing at the peak of their powers in action. The 23-year-old added: “Yes, of course, I watch a lot of football on TV. I love football, I've always loved it, and you could say it takes up all of my time, whether professionally or in my life. But there are so many games and training sessions that I have to think about recovery too.”

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Haaland and Mbappe are both on the <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/ballon-dor-2023-power-rankings/blt51e9eccbef548b72" target="_blank">shortlist for the 2023 Ballon d’Or</a>, with seven-time winner Messi still the favourite to collect another Golden Ball after helping Argentina to World Cup glory at the end of last year.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

Man City sensation Erling Haaland explains why battle with PSG superstar Kylian Mbappe battle isn’t the new Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo | Goal.com Nigeria

Erling Haaland has explained why his battle for supremacy with Kylian Mbappe should not be likened to the Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo debate.