Erling Haaland makes feelings clear on potential future rivalry with Kylian Mbappe

Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has played down the idea of a future rivalry with Kylian Mbappe similar to the enduring Lionel Messi-Cristiano Ronaldo rivalry that has dominated football debate for nearly 15 years.

Haaland, who has scored 24 goals in 19 games since joining City in the summer, and Mbappe, who has already scored 12 World Cup goals before his 24th birthday, have been tipped to succeed Messi, 35, and Ronaldo, 37, as the best players in the world over the coming years.

But Haaland has little interest in becoming embroiled in the same kind of rivalry

“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,” he told Viaplay.

“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 [rivalry with Mbappe], honestly.”

Mbappe netted a hat-trick in the World Cup final last weekend, although was still unable to prevent France’s eventual defeat to Argentina, while Haaland made a goalscoring return in Manchester City’s first competitive game since November as they beat Liverpool on Thursday night.