Football
Heirs to the Throne? Haaland vs. Mbappé – A Data & Expert Look at Football's Next Potential GOATs
As the Messi-Ronaldo era gradually fades, the football world eagerly seeks its next generation of defining superstars. Two names consistently dominate this conversation: Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappé. Their performances spark intense debate: who is more likely to reach 'Greatest Of All Time' (GOAT) status and define the next decade of football?
Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid is challenged by Erling Haland of Manchester City//Getty Images
SB Market Index: How We Decide the Winner
This article delves into this exciting comparison by focusing on their international careers to date. We'll use an 'SB Score' based on their international goals, goals-per-game, and appearances, combined with 'Industry Insights' reflecting expert and media consensus, to calculate a final 'SB Market Index'.
Industry Insights
| Source | Erling Haaland | Kylian Mbappé |
|---|---|---|
| GQ Hype (Haaland) | 1 | 0 |
| Guardian “future top” | 1 | 0 |
| Guardian CL trio | 1 | 1 |
| NatWorld “GOAT index” | 0 | 1 |
| BeyondFootball GOAT case | 0 | 1 |
| TimesNG rising star | 1 | 0 |
| CNN “humble superstar” | 1 | 0 |
| FootballTransfers GOAT | 0 | 1 |
| SuperSport “future GOATs” | 0 | 1 |
| Wikipedia career summary | 1 | 1 |
| Total Mentions | 6 | 6 |
SB Score
Our 'SB Score' evaluates their international careers based on Goals Per Game (50% weight), Total International Goals (30% weight), and Total International Apps (20% weight), with raw stats normalized.
SB Score
| Rank | Player | Caps | Goals | GPG | SB Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Erling Haaland | 43 | 42 | 0.977 | 0.84756 |
| 2 | Kylian Mbappé | 90 | 50 | 0.556 | 0.78455 |
SB Market Index
| Rank | Player | SB Score | Industry Score | SB Market Index |
| 1 | Erling Haaland | 0.84756 | 6 | 4.969512 |
| 2 | Kylian Mbappé | 0.78455 | 6 | 4.95691 |
The Contenders: A Snapshot of Football's New Superstars
Both can be considered future Ballon d'Or winners. Erling Haaland is truly a goal machine. A very imposing physique with impressive speed and an absolutely fantastic goal-scoring instinct. The Norwegian striker has broken a ton of records at Manchester City. He scored 36 goals in the 2022–23 season, surpassing the old record of 34 goals held by Alan Shearer and Andy Cole. Haaland managed to score in 7 consecutive league games, equaling Sergio Agüero's performance and is the player who has scored 40 goals in the Champions League, reaching this milestone in 35 appearances, becoming the fastest and youngest player to do so. In just 3 seasons, the Norwegian striker has reached 122 goals for Manchester City in all competitions.
In contrast, Kylian Mbappe has blistering pace, he is one of the fastest footballers on the planet and reaches 36 km/h. He has dazzling skills. He is absolutely fantastic with the ball at his feet, a magnificent dribble and can easily win one-on-one duels. At just 19 years old, Mbappe managed to win the 2018 World Cup and scored four goals, one in the final against Croatia. And that's not the only performance, At PSG, the French striker became the best scorer in the club's history at just 24 years old. It is clear that Mbappe is a player who makes the difference in big matches.
Beyond the Model: The Broader GOAT Conversation
Although both will be future superstars, the Haaland vs Mbappe comparison is limitless. However, both have their limits, and these weigh heavily in the SB Score.
Let’s be realistic. Mbappe has already won a World Cup and scored in the final, as I said before, which means a lot in this comparison. Although he has 42 goals in 43 matches for the Norwegian national team, Haaland has yet to qualify for the World Cup.
But from a club perspective, Haaland has dominated in the Premier League and Champions League. His numbers look like they came out of a video game. The Norwegian has a Champions League trophy, won in 2023 with Manchester City. The French star has yet to win the prestigious trophy.
This discussion will be carried out for the next 10-15 years. Who will manage to break more records, who will take the most trophies and certainly who was the most influential player.
Concluding Thoughts on Football's Next Super-Rivalry & Disclaimer
Our comprehensive SB Market Index, which balanced international statistics with current expert consensus, places Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappé virtually neck-and-neck in the race for future GOAT status, with Haaland taking an almost imperceptible lead due to his international scoring rate in our model.
The identical 'Industry Insights' scores highlight that the football world is truly witnessing the emergence of two parallel mega-talents, poised to define the sport for years to come.
While Mbappé has the early edge with a World Cup, Haaland's relentless goalscoring at all levels is undeniable. Their developing rivalry will be a privilege for fans to watch.
Disclaimer
This analysis uses international career statistics up to a hypothetical 2025 and a specific weighted SB Score model, combined with surveyed 'Industry Insights'. Club performances and future international achievements will significantly shape their ultimate legacies. Different methodologies or sources could yield different conclusions. This is for illustrative and discussion purposes.
With a strong background in journalism and years of experience in sports commentary, Dragoș Șoneriu has written about every aspect of sport, from match reports and features to tactical analyses and investigative pieces. A lifelong Arsenal fan, he dreams of seeing his beloved team lift the Premier League trophy. Outside of work, Dragoș collects anything football-related, from stickers and mugs to vintage shirts and scarves.