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This is a World Cup where the biggest stars have shone so far. On Friday night, those two big hitters are set to do battle in the first ‘Clash of the Titans’ meeting.
While Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo took their final bows at the tournament, Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland proved they are the outstanding goalscorers of their generation.
This is the new Messi vs Ronaldo rivalry. And it’s on full display at the World Cup for the first time.
Norway and France will meet in the Group I final and both countries have already qualified for the knockout stages. It may be tempting to rest both key men for the next clash after both scored doubles in their first two group games.
but With the Golden Boot race very much aliveGoal-hungry stars who dare to bench? Of course not…
Haaland and Mbappe are currently the only players in Europe aged 30 or under with at least 250 career goals to their name – and they are in a league of their own at the top.
Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe are two of the outstanding goal threats in world football
The rivalry still lacks the bite that Messi and Ronaldo had during their time at Barcelona and Real Madrid. It has something to do with Mbappe and Haaland playing in different leagues.
But they are still at the top of the modern game: both have a European Golden Shoe; Mbappe has more league titles; Haaland has won more individual competitions, in more countries.
Mbappe has the World Cup, but Haaland has the Champions League, which his French rival has never won.
Talking about the Champions League, there too the opponents are fighting each other on the goalscoring charts.
Mbappe has more goals so far but in fairness to Haaland, the France forward started earlier. When Mbappe parted ways with Monaco and then PSG, the Norway forward was still playing in his home country in Molde.
But that doesn’t mean Haaland is inferior to Mbappe. In fact, Haaland has the best goals-per-game record in tournament history.
On top of that, Mbappe has a long-term international presence. His double against Iraq took him to 16 goals in 16 World Cup matches, equaling Miroslav Klose’s all-time record (now held by Messi).
But Haaland has shown his hand with four goals in the tournament so far – becoming only the second player in this century to manage multiple strikes in his first two World Cups after Harry Kane.
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Erling Haaland praised his scoring ability and said he was proud to ‘make history’ with Norway after the Scandinavians won their 12th game against Senegal.
If Haaland continues his scoring rate of two goals per game and plays every match, he will reach 16 goals – which was Klose’s World Cup record – at this year’s finals. Unlikely, yes, but not impossible.
Haaland’s sample size is simply small – but what is clear is that these two players must see the scoring record tumble in front of them.
Mbappe will – inevitably – claim the World Cup goalscoring record from Messi in the long run. He can handle it this summer.
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In The Rest Is Football, Gary Lineker, Joe Cole and Harry Maguire discuss whether we’re about to witness another World Cup dominated by the rivalry between Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe.
But you can’t rule out Haaland reaching that level one day, especially if Norway reaches the next three World Cups in his 37-year-old stretch.
His international record is remarkable: 59 goals for Norway one behind Mbappe’s 60 for France – despite Haaland playing 48 fewer internationals.
Ronaldo’s record of 140 runs in the Champions League is also under threat. Mbappe is already halfway to that tally before turning 28, while Haaland is 13 goals behind the Frenchman despite being just two years younger.
Another comparison between the Messi-Ronaldo rivalry and Mbappe vs. Haaland is how the two players differ stylistically in individual battles.
Mbappe and Haaland will be rivals for some time
Messi’s left-footed, technically outstanding profile matches well with Ronaldo’s right-footed, physical nature.
Mbappe is the Pacey, the all-action forward who carries players on the pitch while appearing and scoring goals – witness the long-range goals against Senegal and Iraq. Haaland, on the other hand, is a clinical first-time finisher from inside the box who makes more use of his physical presence.
Which player is better? As with Messi and Ronaldo, the right answer is to enjoy them both while they’re still here – and before the next two players arrive.
