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The club football has returned as the FIFA World Cup 2022 is concluded as Argentina beat France 4-2 in penalties to win the third title in their history. While Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are moving towards the end of their illustrious career, Manchester City striker Erling Haaland was quizzed about his rivalry with the Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappe.
The rivalry between Argentina captain Messi and Portugal captain Ronaldo has ruled the football world over a decade as they have shared 12 Ballon d'Or awards. Many fans and experts believe that a new rivalry between the 22-year-old, Haaland and the 24-year-old, Mbappe is in a close range.
Erling Haaland, who rested during the World Cup break after his national side Norway failed to qualify for the quadrennial showpiece in Qatar, was asked about his take on future rivalry with Mbappe. The Man City striker told Viaplay, " It's impossible to say. I don't like to compare myself with others. I think you need to be your own player when it comes to that so I don't like to compare or anything with that."
Haaland talked about the 'perfect rivalry' between Messi and Ronaldo, and said, " I think the media has been doing that with Ronaldo and Messi for the last 10 years and I think they've been pushing each other as well. I think it's been a positive thing. Barcelona and Madrid against each other. It's been the perfect rivalry. But I don't think about this, honestly. "
Kylian Mbappe believed that Haaland isn't quite on his level yet and told Esquire in 2021, " It is his second year, we are getting to know him. It is the beginning for him. I'm happy for him, for what he's doing. I have played up front, I have played on the left and on the right. In all humility, I don't think everyone is capable of changing positions like this every year and maintaining a great performance at the highest level."
Haaland joined Manchester City in 2022 and played 18 matches for the English club across competitions and scored a total of 23 goals and made three assists. On the other hand, Kylian Mbappe has scored a total of 19 goals and made five assists in his 20 appearances for PSG in the 2022-23 season.