The UEFA Champions League knockout phase is only halfway through the round of 16, but it has already sparked a huge debate, one that could be with us for the next decade: Mbappe or Haaland? Kylian Mbappe of Paris Saint-Germain and Erling Haaland of Borussia Dortmund were the two brightest stars in the competition as the round of 16 started last month. The world-class attackers – who are 42 years old together – won a total of five goals in their teams’ first match. Mbappe had a hat-trick against Barcelona, while Haaland scored twice to give his team a lead against Sevilla.
The pair will be on the field again this week, with both players trying to advance to the quarterfinals. Dortmund host Sevilla on Tuesday before PSG leave Barca on Wednesday, and all Champions League matches stream on Paramount +.
Although it should be up to PSG, Dortmund, the UEFA draw and Soccer Gods to decide whether we will finally get a match between Mbappe and Haaland on the field, it will not stop us from having one of the best debates in the match right to set. now: Would you rather have Kylian Mbappe or Erling Haaland?
We asked our panel of football experts. Here’s what they said.
UCL Round Table: Mbappe or Haaland?
James Benge: If I’m one of the few hyperclubs for whom this option is available, I take Mbappe for two reasons. Primarily in football, the Frenchman offers the more versatile scintilla in terms of building a front line, he can play wide as well as through the middle, while going on track records. I get an aid from Mbappe every three games against every five from Haaland. Then there is the other important factor: stellar power. Haaland is brilliant, but does he have the same magnetic energy on and off the field as Mbappe, a player who set the tone to transcend his sport and gain that important name recognition around the world? Just look at how Mbappe succeeded at Camp Nou and held his celebration for a moment only to find the right camera to pose in front of. I hate to say it, but if I split hair between these two next generation stars, star quality is something I will have to consider. Ultimately, something has to fund the huge transfer fee for one of these two.
Roger Gonzalez: I take Haaland all day. Look, Mbappe is absolutely incredible, has already won a World Cup and produced magic moments that made him the face of PSG over Neymar. He is also possibly the world’s second best player. But Haaland has the speed, he has the finishing ability and he has the instinct, but he also has the size. The 6-foot-4 Haaland is absolutely incredible in the air and can offer more innings than Mbappe. The ability, I think, will also hold in more physical leagues, especially if his future ends up in England. Choosing between the two is like asking if you want to take a vacation to London or Rome. You simply can not go wrong with either of these two things, but because of his physical characteristics, his productive points before the goal, his instinct and the fact that he is two years younger, I take the nasty Norwegian.
Mike Goodman: I think the answer is clearly Mbappe. Haaland is an incredible goal scorer for all ages, let alone for a player who is only 20, but Mbappe as well. Compare their statistics and you will see that Haaland is slightly ahead and scored 1.07 goals per 90 minutes to Mbappe’s 0.95. But look at the total expected goals and it is virtually indistinguishable at 0.83 and 0.85 respectively. What Mbappe brings to the table is a much bigger impact on non-points. He plays 36 passes per 90, Haaland plays 16. He also plays 2.7 passes in the attacking third, Haaland plays 1.3. With the ball at their feet, Mbappe takes on almost eight players per game and Haaland less than two. If you score as much as Haaland, you do not have to do all the other things to be one of the best players in the world, but if Mbappe does the goal shooting and does all the other things, the choice is clear.
Sandra Herrera: Mbappe. Both players currently have impressive pieces. In the three domestic matches that led to their respective UCL rounds of 16 second legs, Mbappe scored four goals, while Haaland scored twice. Haaland scored the more impressive and consistent games during UCL as the fastest player to 18 goals in UCL history in 13 games. Nevertheless, Mbappe’s PSG led Barcelona behind a hat-trick from the French international and he is able to have another big game.
Jonathan Johnson: I’m going Mbappe. Haaland is a world-class talent on his own and any team would be happy to have him, but Mbappe is in my eyes still the best young talent in the game. The rise of the Norwegian was meteoric, but so was the Frenchman and he has won four World Cups with France, Ligue 1 with PSG and Monaco, both twice domestic cups each and also reached a Champions League final. All this before the age of 23. Haaland could still equal it, but there is no doubt to me that still sets the pace here – Mbappe.
So who should you be back in the UEFA Champions League match between Borussia Dortmund and Sevilla? And where does all the commitment value lie? Visit SportsLine now to see the best bets for this week’s UEFA Champions League, all from the European football insider who has raised more than $ 17,600 for $ 100 bets since the 2017-18 season!