For about 15 years, the dilemma that has divided football fans around the world, regardless of age, has been who is the best footballer on the planet between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. The new mega dilemma, at least for the “current” decade, seems to be who is the best among the new big “canons” of European stadiums, namely Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland.

The Frenchman and the Norwegian are the hottest news in world football in recent years. They have been tested to the highest level and are a major headache for defenders who have to deal with them. But who will go down in history as the leader of the decade? This is a comparison that, despite appearances, is not black and white.

Kylian Mbappe has climbed the ladder of fame before. The 24-year-old Parisian, born five days before Christmas in 1998, five months after the first World Cup won by France, has been dazzling since he was a teenager. With a Cameroonian father and an Algerian mother, he grew up in the French capital as a fanatical friend of Paris.

But he became famous in Monaco, where he was still up to 14 years old, and from the age of 17 he was transferred to the first team, sweeping away defenders who at first did not know him, and then could not fight him. .

In the 2017-2018 season, recognition came with a move to Paris, where he has the opportunity to collect domestic titles – although he lacks a European one – and winning the World Cup in Russia.

He has incredible explosive power and is the most dynamic player in world football. This is a player who, as soon as he finds the slightest space, does not forgive the opponent’s defense thanks to his perfect control of the ball on the grass, incredible speed with the ball and the perfect completion of the phases. In addition, he is a true leader and rightfully has the Blues armband at 24 years old. His disadvantage? Mbappe reportedly wants to… command his teams. This is said to have happened to some extent in the French national team and especially in Paris Saint-Germain, where they are said to veto player transfers and have a say in the choice of coaches.

Erling Haaland (commonly pronounced Holland) is 19 months younger, born July 21, 2000 in Leeds, England. His father, Alfie Haaland, played for Leeds United, 65 kilometers from the field where the 22-year-old Erling plays. currently setting fire to the stands of Manchester City friends with his goals.

After playing football in his native Norwegian city of Brienne Haaland, he was acquired by Molde, where he made his debut in the country’s top flight in 2017. Two years later he moved to Austrian club Red Bull Salzburg where he won the only championship of his career so far.

Explosiveness, speed with the ball and flawless completion of phases characterize the Parisian Frenchman S.Z.

Praise followed at Borussia Dortmund and a big transfer to Manchester City, where he officially joined in July 2022. However, he himself admitted six years ago that he dreams of winning the English championship with Leeds.

The blond Norwegian is invincible in the air. He sees the world from … 1.95 m, but he does not have a bulky body at all. Its dynamism and endless variety in phase performances make it unpredictable and unstoppable. He seems to do hat-tricks for… fun, even in the world’s top league, the Premier League.

What about Haaland’s shortcomings? That he is… Norwegian. There are many great football players who were not lucky enough to be born in a great football country. And if some managed to achieve titles by leading their previously “unnamed” homeland, such as, for example, Johan Cruyff with the Netherlands or Cristiano Ronaldo with Portugal, then others, like George Best with Northern Ireland, did not have time to enjoy what everyone enjoyed soul for four months. ago Lionel Messi.

Statistically, Mbappe, who is a year and a half older, has the advantage: he has already scored 232 goals for Monaco and Paris, and he has 68 caps and 38 goals for France. De Haaland scored 183 goals for Molde, Salzburg, Borussia Dortmund and City, as well as 21 goals for Norway in 23 games. In addition, Mbappe has 111 finishing passes compared to Haaland’s 40, given that the Frenchman moves more outside the box than the Norwegian.

In terms of club titles, Haaland is also currently trailing, although his move to City 10 months ago suggests this could change soon. The Manchester City striker has only two Austrian league titles, as well as one Austrian Cup and one German Cup.

Mbappé, who was also the top scorer in the recent World Cup, has a much richer track record: five championships (and sometimes six) and three French Cups, as well as two League Cups and a Super Cup.

Listing their stats is pretty… intimidating. Both have the makings of leaving the era based on what they’ve accomplished so far, before they even reached their 25s. If – as in the case of Ronaldo and Messi – they have at least a whole decade ahead of them on the Everest of football, it seems that they will become the next football legends.