The football world has spent well over a decade trying to answer the Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo debate. But now, we have a new topic to consider - Erling Haaland vs Kylian Mbappe.
The two young superstars have been lighting up the European football scene in recent times and look like the natural successors to Messi and Ronaldo.
Haaland recently signed for Manchester City and under the stewardship of Pep Guardiola has smashed home a record-breaking 10 goals across his first six Premier League matches.
Meanwhile, Mbappe is arguably the most premium member of a star-studded Paris Saint-Germain team that includes none other than Messi and Neymar, evidenced by his new contract which surpasses both the legends and equates to a whopping £1.3 million-per-week.
We're not quite sure who's the better player out of the two, but whoever is, might just be the best football on the planet right now.
So with that in mind, we've decided to take a look at what 12 experts had to say on the matter.
Thierry Henry - Mbappe
Henry recently said live on CBS, per Marca: "Mbappe can create and finish. Haaland doesn't create. He finishes. Mbappe can play on the right and on the left. He can play in the middle. Haaland can only play in the middle.
"He (Haaland) is a magnificent player and with him they could have won against Real Madrid in the Champions League.
"For now, Mbappe is my vote."
TOKYO, JAPAN - JULY 20: Kylian Mbappe of Paris Saint-Germain reacts during the preseason friendly match between Paris Saint-Germain and Kawasaki Frontale at National Stadium on July 20, 2022 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Masashi Hara/Getty Images)
Michael Owen - Mbappe
Owen said on BT Sport: “Mbappe is beautiful to watch and I’d love to see him playing in my team every week. I think Mbappe could go on to become a way better player. But Haaland will probably score more goals in his career.”
Rio Ferdinand - Mbappe
Ferdinand said on BT Sport: “Haaland will give you sleepless nights but not as much as Mbappe. He can do so many different things. Mbappe can embarrass you with a skill and take the mick. Then you don’t sleep after the game, let alone before the game.”
Jamie Carragher - Haaland
Haaland has become an instant hit at City, something which, based off Carragher's previous remarks from 2021, will pain the Liverpool legend.
“I’ve always gone with Mbappe before but there’s something about Haaland,” he said on Sky Sports when discussing who he'd rather see in a Liverpool shirt.
“He looks mad, but in a good way. You just think he doesn’t care about anything. You see the celebration in the Champions League with the goalkeeper. I loved it – I’d go for Haaland.”
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Luis Suarez - Haaland
Suarez is the second Liverpool icon that opted for the now City star, telling Gerard Romero (per Goal) that he will define an era.
“He [Haaland] is a great player, he’s at a spectacular level, he has admirable physical strength.
“He’s one of the best No.9s in the world and will define an era. I’m a bit more in favour of Haaland, but Mbappe is at a great level.”
Danny Murphy - Mbappe
Speaking on TalkSPORT's White & Jordan show, Murphy said: "I'd have Mbappe over Haaland. I love Haaland but Mbappe's got this explosive dynamism, this individuality."
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Joe Cole - Mbappe
“Good question. I’d like to have five years to answer that question. I’m going to go with Mbappe as the more rounded footballer,” Cole told SPORTbible in September 2021.
Owen Hargreaves - Mbappe
“Mbappe is the better player. Haaland is going to score more goals but Mbappe is the better player, the more beautiful player.” Hargreaves said live on BT Sport in 2021.
Soccer Football - Pre Season Friendly - Urawa Red Diamonds v Paris Saint-Germain - Saitama Stadium, Saitama, Japan - July 23, 2022 Paris St Germain's Kylian Mbappe celebrates scoring their second goal REUTERS/Issei Kato
Gerard Pique - Didn't vote
Pique couldn't split the two, instead praising both stars for their incredible footballing talent.
The Barcelona star told AS: “Mbappe and Haaland are different. One is very similar to Ronaldo Luis Nazario, who is Mbappé. Haaland is more powerful, stronger, he is a goal killer.”
Micah Richards - Mbappe
Richards told the Daily Mail in February 2021: “This is so, so close to call. Again! I’m sticking with Mbappe. The hat-trick in Barcelona was Thierry Henry-esque. He’s ridiculous! But Haaland is ridiculous too! He’s like Shearer. He’ll get more goals but Mbappe has got va-va-voom.”
Chris Sutton - Haaland
Sutton said while speaking to Richards: “You’re a big, strong guy, Micah. But Haaland would pick you up and sit you on top of the goalpost! He’s 20! He hasn’t even developed yet. I see him move – how quick he is, his awareness, his finishing. He’s a super-intelligent player. I’m picking him.”
LEICESTER, ENGLAND - JULY 30: Erling Haaland of Manchester City applauds during the The FA Community Shield at The King Power Stadium on July 30, 2022 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
Victor Wanyama - Haaland
Wanyama was asked who he preferred by Major League Soccer's YouTube channel and simply responded: “That’s putting me in the spotlight. I like strikers that can score: Haaland.”
The scores on the doors: Mbappe 7-4 Haaland
So, it's Mbappe that wins out in the debate when it comes to the experts, but if Haaland continues scoring in the same vein for City then it'll be hard to deny him come the end of the season.
More than anything, though, it's just going to be fascinating watching how these two develop.
There'll have some job on their hands if they want to reach the heights of Messi and Ronaldo, but we think it's fair to say that the mantle has well and truly been passed on to this deadly duo at this point.