Not like Messi vs Ronaldo — Haaland talks about Mbappe rivalry

Manchester City forward Erling Haaland opens up about his perceived rivalry with Kylian Mbappe and how it measures up to the competition Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo had. 

The 22-year-old striker had the most dominant club campaign in the previous season, scoring 53 goals in all competitions and winning the treble. 

Mbappe, on the other hand, led Paris Saint-Germain to a record Ligue 1 title, had a stellar World Cup, clinching the Golden Boot, and was a penalty shootout going France's way from two World Cup titles at only 24. 

The Norwegian is believed by many to be, alongside Mbappe, a cut above the rest, and this has inevitably caused both players to be pitted against each other.

They are even billed to have a rivalry as storied as Messi and Ronaldo's, but Haaland thinks otherwise. 

“That's what everyone thinks, but you have to emphasise just how crazy the things Messi and Cristiano have done,” Haaland said, per Goal.

“You also have to remember that they're still doing it, even if they're getting older. They're still fantastic players. But I never talk about myself being against other players; it's not my way of seeing things. I focus on myself; I only try to be better every day, to continue enjoying what I do and being the best version of myself.”