Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland are widely hailed as the next generation of football’s brightest stars, each carrying the hopes of fans across North America and beyond. As conversations about the sport’s future unfold, attention naturally turns to how these two phenoms compare with the game’s all time greats and with each other.
For years, the debate over who sits at the pinnacle between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo has captivated supporters around the world. Those two veterans continue to produce elite numbers at club and international levels, even as new talents mature. In recent seasons, Mbappé and Haaland have emerged as the primary challengers to that legacy, each pushing to define the era ahead of them. Their rapid development has sparked conversations about which player might claim the mantle of the next global superstar and perhaps even the future GOAT. Here is a closer look at how Mbappé and Haaland stack up across key metrics and milestones.
Kylian Mbappé vs Erling Haaland: Club goal tallies
The two players both launched their senior careers during the 2015/16 campaign. Mbappé broke into professional football with Monaco in Ligue 1, while Haaland began his rise in Norway with Bryne before moving to bigger stages. Mbappé’s standout individual season came in 2021/22 when he struck 46 goals for Paris Saint-Germain, a peak for the French forward in club competitions. Haaland, meanwhile, reached a remarkable peak in the 2019/20 season, netting 44 goals across his stints with RB Salzburg and Borussia Dortmund as he began to demonstrate the prodigious finishing and movement that would define his early career. [CREDIT: Football databases]
Kylian Mbappé vs Erling Haaland: Club assists
In terms of assists, Mbappé has consistently offered more creative distribution and setup play across his career to date. He has racked up more than a hundred assists over eight seasons, underscoring his playmaking ability in addition to his goal-scoring prowess. The 2021/22 season saw Mbappé contribute 26 assists, underscoring his role as a primary creator for his team. Haaland’s assist numbers, while impressive, have not matched Mbappé’s in aggregate across similar periods; his single-season high of 12 assists occurred in 2020/21, a figure that highlights his focus on finishing and movement in the final third rather than goal creation alone. [CREDIT: Opta stats]
Kylian Mbappé vs Erling Haaland: International matches and goals
Both players have also showcased their ability on the international stage, carrying expectations for their national teams. Mbappé’s international record has been built on a blend of decisive goals and high-intensity performances in major tournaments, while Haaland has emerged as a central figure for Norway, delivering impact games and consistent scoring when the team relies on his versatility and pace. These contributions have elevated discussions about how each star could influence long-term results for their countries. [CREDIT: national team records]
Kylian Mbappé vs Erling Haaland: Club trophies
Club trophies provide another lens through which to compare the two players. Mbappé has collected multiple domestic titles with PSG, along with deep runs in European competition, highlighting success in domestic leagues and the European landscape. Haaland’s trophy cabinet has grown quickly through his time at clubs across Europe, reflecting his rapid ascent and the ability to help teams secure titles in national leagues as well as strong runs in continental tournaments. These achievements contribute to the broader narrative about who is closer to the all-time benchmark. [CREDIT: club records]
Kylian Mbappé vs Erling Haaland: International trophies
International success remains a key element in judging a player’s career arc. Mbappé has played a pivotal role in France’s campaigns, contributing to major tournament runs and lifting silverware at the senior level. Haaland’s international journey with Norway has seen him carry a heavy load and influence outcomes through his goal production and leadership. The balance of club dominance with international trophies often informs opinions about a player’s lasting legacy in the sport. [CREDIT: national team awards]