His face and his football match perfectly. He is simply a bully in football in terms of how he bully the defenders and keeper, and he looks like he is a bully too.Greenwood.
On a slightly different note, does anybody else think Haaland has one of those faces you'd like to punch?Don't know why but he looks annoying. Seen him acting a bit of a billy big bollocks in one game too, seems to be buying into the hype a bit.
In football terms though I would have to see a bit more of Haaland to answer the question in the OP. I've never been totally sold on Mbappe.
Haaland vs Mbappe - Heirs Apparent
- Thread starter Pexbo
- Start date
Both still got long way to go, but they are in the right track to become Great SuperStar Players. (like Messi, CR7, Lewa, Suarez, Aguero, etc...)
Mbappé is the better player overall, Haaland is the better goalscorer, andit will be key for both of them to choose their next move carefully because being in a "Successful" team helps them showcase their ability and contend for the highest individual accolades (as a United fan, hopefully none of them end up at Liverpool or City or Chelsea).
Mbappé is the better player overall, Haaland is the better goalscorer, andit will be key for both of them to choose their next move carefully because being in a "Successful" team helps them showcase their ability and contend for the highest individual accolades (as a United fan, hopefully none of them end up at Liverpool or City or Chelsea).
I think it's massively unfair to say Haaland can't reach the same heights as Mbappe because he's Norwegian and less likely to play in a World Cup. By that reckoning Danny Welbeck and Phil Jones have better legacies than Cantona and Giggs. Plus international football is no real barometer of quality after all Gareth Southgate took England to a world cup semi final but couldn't keep a side in the PL, it's quite obvious the champions league is the highest standard of football at the moment. I don't think you can judge someone's worth as a player based on their nationality as it's a lottery. Would Messi be any less gifted if he was born in a neighbouring country?
I think people dismiss best for that reason.
If that discussion turns out to be as annoying as Messi v. Ronaldo, I might have to stop reading stuff about football.
I don't think Mbappe is particularly wonderful. He's a good player for sure, one of the best around, but he's not some generational talent. It's easy to compare him with Henry, and maybe he'll reach that level (which is a fine level to reach), but the Messi Ronaldo comparisons seem well off.
Haaland is a brutal goal scorer, maybe faster than Mbappe too. It'll be interesting to see if he can maintain that explosivness into his mid 20s. Personally I see Haaland as a more impressive striker than I see Mbappe as a wide forward (or whatever you want to call the position). Mbappe will win it first probably, because someone has to.
Haaland is a brutal goal scorer, maybe faster than Mbappe too. It'll be interesting to see if he can maintain that explosivness into his mid 20s. Personally I see Haaland as a more impressive striker than I see Mbappe as a wide forward (or whatever you want to call the position). Mbappe will win it first probably, because someone has to.
Welbeck and Jones
Mbappe was an integral player for a WC winning team at the age of 19. He’s one of the best players in the world. The two bums you mention will be forgotten by everyone by the time they retire in 5 or so years, they will have zero legacy. No one's saying Haaland is worth less or less gifted because of his nationality. But it goes without saying he will struggle for individual honors every other year because he doesn’t have the support cast for his national team. After all it’s a team game and you’re only as good as your team.
What is this based on exactly? Are Europeans going to stop follow the English clubs that they are following now because they're not part of the union anymore? Are any of american/asian/african markets going to boycott Premier League because of Brexit?
Unfortunately (for us, at least), the severed ties are going to make the cultural distance greater.
Yes, money... plastic money smells better wherever more plastic money can be made, though? I mean, sheiks and funds love the implied business opportunities, more than football per se, and France / Ligue 1 has so much potential, now that the UK is out? Even minnows clubs in the almost broke, seriously bad run Italian Serie A are getting interest (Parma and Spezia just snapped up by non-random wealthy American investors).
More interestingly, the EPL might opt to go the full American way and aim at that SuperLeague status, a la NBA for basketball or the NFL for football? Just leaving European football for good, I mean.
If that discussion turns out to be as annoying as Messi v. Ronaldo, I might have to stop reading stuff about football.
Only if both eventually move to one of the big supported clubs on this forum such as Madrid, Barca or Man United, otherwise I doubt it will transcend into the garbage of the Messi vs Ronaldo thread on here. That thread should have been settled in the OP with the answer being Messi of course
Like Messi vs Ronaldo, and Henry vs Nistelroy before that, there will be a number of people who believe that the discussion can be had by simply referencing numbers from Wikipedia and not bothering to actually watch them play.
I haven't watched Haaland all that much, but from what I've seen, Mbappe's ceiling is higher.
Haaland reminds me a lot of Christian Vieri though and if he goes into similar beast mode without Vieri's injuries, he'll be right up there.
Haaland looks like he trains with the evil team in Karate Kid though. He'll be real easy to dislike if he ever signs for a rival.
I haven't watched Haaland all that much, but from what I've seen, Mbappe's ceiling is higher.
Haaland reminds me a lot of Christian Vieri though and if he goes into similar beast mode without Vieri's injuries, he'll be right up there.
Haaland looks like he trains with the evil team in Karate Kid though. He'll be real easy to dislike if he ever signs for a rival.
This is just so perfect.
Messi and Ronaldo were so high above everyone else at their very peak, and even now at the end of their careers they are still very much contenders for best player in the world.
Haaland and Mbappé may very well become the next "big thing", but I'd be surprised if any of them even reach the same echelon as any of the two GOATs. There is Maradona who was arguably even better when you take into account time periods, and how Maradona often played on what we'd consider a potato field today.
That being said: Both Haaland and Mbappe are outproducing the two GOATs at this time in their careers, so who knows where they will end up in 5 years at their physical prime.
Haaland to be is more of a brute force player that resembles the football version of Juggernaut, whereas Mbappe is probably always going to be technically superior.
The Messi-esque "dribble-pass-run through space to receive the ball and score" play from Haaland last night was a complete surprise though, I did not think he had that in him.
Haaland and Mbappé may very well become the next "big thing", but I'd be surprised if any of them even reach the same echelon as any of the two GOATs. There is Maradona who was arguably even better when you take into account time periods, and how Maradona often played on what we'd consider a potato field today.
That being said: Both Haaland and Mbappe are outproducing the two GOATs at this time in their careers, so who knows where they will end up in 5 years at their physical prime.
Haaland to be is more of a brute force player that resembles the football version of Juggernaut, whereas Mbappe is probably always going to be technically superior.
The Messi-esque "dribble-pass-run through space to receive the ball and score" play from Haaland last night was a complete surprise though, I did not think he had that in him.
People are overstating the technical difference between Haaland and Mbappe. The only area Mbappe is better at Haaland is sprinting with the ball and it's not that big because Mbappe is not really a great dribbler in tight spaces which is why he struggles when teams sit back and makes things compact. Mbappe has more "flair" but effectiveness, I would give Haaland.
I agree. If Haaland leads Norway to a World Cup group stage, that in itself can be considered as great of an achievement (or greater?) as England getting out of the group stage in the same World Cup.
Use Zlatan as an example. Not that Zlatan has been a regular Ballon d'Or contender, but I don't think it's fair to use Swedens lack of World Cup or Euro trophies as a stick to beat him with. He holds all the records for the Swedish NT, and was integral in their relative success, which is all/more than you can ask for. The same goes for Lewandowski.
I realize in Ballon d'Or terms, World Cups and Euros count. But when arguing who is the better player, or had the better career, it's unfair for whoever is not from a big football nation (automatically excluding players form 95% of the countries in the world).
You can use the argument of international accolades when discussing Messi vs. Maradona or CR7, but you can't use it when comparing Messi and Lewandowski. Poland will never be as good as Argentina, and Sweden will never be as good as Germany (not saying Sweden or Poland can't beat Argentina or Germany team if they play each other in a World Cup, just to be clear).
They're always gonna fall short of expectations if Messi and Ronaldo are used as a measuring stick. They can get to one, two, even three tiers below that category and still be considered legends of the game if they call it a day 15 years from now.
I don't know why but I still have a feeling that Haaland might struggle at a top club, a bit like Lukaku did at United. I'd much rather have Mbappe in my team. I get the comparison too because they're both forwards and roughly the same age but they're really just two different players so hard to compare them.
Agree. It'd be nice to have a more general pool of great players than two who completely dominate and people get mental about.If that discussion turns out to be as annoying as Messi v. Ronaldo, I might have to stop reading stuff about football.
Thankfully I don't think either Mbappe or Haaland are good enough for that. I expect others to step up and give them completion.
Out of the two I'll go for Mbappe. He's got a bit of the class to go along with the ruthlessness that both seem to have. Although not enough of it for me to say that he's uncatchable.
When it comes to actual footballing ability the common consensus that I am aware of is that (potentially) missing out on international tournaments does not harm you. This is about winning the Balon d'Or. A literal political popularity contest. Many many votes are cast based on world cup performances only. (Sometimes to a degree, where retired players receive votes for former world cup glory).
So in short: Will missing out on a World Cup make Haaland a worse player? Certainly not. Will it hurt his fame and popularity? Certainly yes.
Haaland can of course overcome this by becoming a Real legend.
Haaland gives me Ronaldo after he stopped being a winger vibes.
I'd be disappointed if Mbappé doesn't reach that level honestly
Really? I'd say Mbappe would've done brilliantly if he's regarded as someone like Henry at the end of his career, which is comfortably a tier or two below Messi and Ronaldo for me.
I think Foden is going to surprise a lot of people, unfortunately (nothing against the kid but the country he plays for week in week out). I honestly think he can surpass either. Seems to have a better footballing brain already and has all the technical ability in the World. If Mason gets his head down and is coached properly then he has a big chance to reach similar levels too for me. Simply being as two footed as he is is a massive technical advantage in football.
Begrudgingly I'm going to say that Foden goes on to be the best player in the World, especially if Pep stays for another few years.
Begrudgingly I'm going to say that Foden goes on to be the best player in the World, especially if Pep stays for another few years.
Can't see it honestly. I think we sometimes forget just how good the 2 of them were because we are watching the end of their careers. I can't see Mbappe being as good a goalscorer as Ronaldo and to be honest he is a long way off of Messi's overall ability, even though he is a great player already. The lad will never be able to pass or dribble like Messi could in his pomp.
Wow. That's as bold as any statement I've seen. I'd be very surprised if he becomes the best player in the world, but he'll be exceptional, no doubt about it.
It is indeed a bold statement and I'll probably be horribly wrong but there is just something about the guy that when I see him play I can see him reaching a level above the others (the prick).
Make that prediction after another season. Teams will set up for him the way they have Mason this. He’ll have to learn to cope with tighter marking.
If he does that successfully then you’ll have a very strong case
Re: Haaland, I think that depends on the club. Much like Zlatan didn't have a stellar career at Barcelona, Haaland needs teams that attack with pace and plays through balls. He's at his best when he can beat a defender to the ball. Barcelona's "tiki taka" approach probably don't suit him, whereas Manchester United that live for hitting teams on the break would be a perfect fit. Bruno to Haaland. It's the pairing that's meant to be.
Bit strong but he does looks the most talented of what looks like an excellent generation for England. Definitely can be up there if he can keep getting goals once he's moved back to midfield permanently.
Foden looks good but not that good to me. But then again, as I've said before nothing is set in stone. None of these players have a Messi or Maradona like genius ability so it's up for grabs and can change from year to year.
Henry is maybe a bit low. I'd say between the Cristiano tier and the Henry tier. Ronaldinho/Zidane-esque, just as a totally different type of player.
Sancho looks the most talented to me.
He has been quoted as saying this hasn’t he? He loves to run in to the pass. He might learn to play with his back to the goal more efficiently as he gets more experienced but atm he’s devastating running at you.
Kounde had no support last night. His CB partner bottled it everytime Haaland came at him.
Looked the player we were after last night. Will we make a move though, now we’ve bought amad?
Martial/James would likely have to make way don’t you think
Yep I think once Ronaldo and Messi are gone that we are back to a period of interchangeable best players from year to year, and like I said Mason can be one of those guys with the right coaching and application. I think we have forgotten that the likes of Zidane weren't the best player in the World every single year. Ronaldo and Messi have spoiled us and perhaps changed perceptions in this regard since they have achieved such a remarkable level of consistency to go along with their genius.
Maybe the real conversation is who will have a better season each year rather than one guy becoming the consistent number 1. I fancy Foden to be in that conversation in the coming years.
Edit: seen your Sancho comment and I agree, the lad has incredible ability. England could be special if the 3 of them all achieve their potential withe the likes of Reece James being a brilliant talent too and others of that ilk.
Agree. Then again, you never know if we see domination over more than a decade from a handful of teams like we did from Real and Barca these past 12 years then it can happen as the cream during that time frame.
But I hope not. I want to see football going back to the unpredictability of the past. The same finalists/semi finalists and contenders for player awards, just gets tiresome. Would love it if we have different teams and players in the mix over the next 10. Obviously would love it more if our team and players were in that mix but not getting my hopes up on that.
Depends on how much we have to spend. Given we spent on Amad and VDB last summer, and the need for a CB and a DM I can see the club staying clear. But then again, he seemed like such a perfect fit for us, so you never know.
With Rashford, Sancho, Amad and Greenwood that could be a fine set of wide players with a lot of technical ability. If we ever sent back, I do hope the talk this year of him being much better on the left isn't true as our problems are on the right.
Doubt it. Where Lukaku went wrong was that he spent way too long time at defeatist clubs (5 years at WBA+Everton)*. Everton's tactics in big games were so awful during that period, they never believed they could get a result in those games. He developed a defeatist mindset himself and was a mental midget by the time he signed for United.
If anything Haaland is the complete opposite to Lukaku mentality wise. Last month or so since returning from an injury has been the worst I've seen of Haaland since I started following him 3 years ago. But even through this spell of poor form he has delivered class performances vs Leipzig, Gladbach and Sevilla. He just has this ability where he rises to the biggest occasions (18 CL goals in 13 games at that age is unheard of). Polar opposite to Lukaku who more often than not shrinks when the occasion is big.
(* you could argue where he actually went wrong was signing for Chelsea at a young age, become a part of their awful loaning scheme and having little autonomy on his own career.)
I think Haaland is the most naturally gifted of the two and the best youngster in the world. He not only has a magnificient physical prowess but his all around game is good. Superior finisher to Mbappé. Take the pace out of both and Haaland is still better.
Mbappé has a remarkable physique for acceleration and pace. His agility is also good and obviously his skills are decent but overall not as good as other top players. He reminds me a bit of Thierry Henry, phyisically, while nowhere near as good in terms of technique and flair. Henry was a special case though. However, Mbappe seems to be more level headed and that will definetaly impact his development and career later on.
Mbappé has a remarkable physique for acceleration and pace. His agility is also good and obviously his skills are decent but overall not as good as other top players. He reminds me a bit of Thierry Henry, phyisically, while nowhere near as good in terms of technique and flair. Henry was a special case though. However, Mbappe seems to be more level headed and that will definetaly impact his development and career later on.
According with Meunier who played on a daily basis with both :
“Kylian still plays football today like he did when he was ten. He doesn't think, he does everything instinctively and lets his talent speak for itself ”
“Erling acts more like an adult. He is less talented, but he works very hard. He can also be a world class player ”
“Kylian still plays football today like he did when he was ten. He doesn't think, he does everything instinctively and lets his talent speak for itself ”
“Erling acts more like an adult. He is less talented, but he works very hard. He can also be a world class player ”
ah, good call Vieri, there's something in Haaland that reminds him.
But we're at a much different level here - Vieri was good, but this is something else.
The norwegian looks and feels like the very best mashup remix you could make of Batistuta plus Ibrahimovic.
He is THAT scary. He's built to dominate and he will.
Mbappé looks and feels like the road-legal version of Group B rally car monster Luis Nazario da Lima.