The UEFA Champions League knockout stage is only halfway through the round of 16, but it has already generated a great debate, which could be with us in the next decade: Mbappe or Haaland? Kylian Mbappe of Paris Saint-Germain and Erling Haaland of Borussia Dortmund were the two brightest stars in the competition, as the round of 16 started last month. The world-class strikers – who are 42 years old – scored five goals in their teams’ first leg victories. Mbappe scored three goals against Barcelona, while Haaland scored twice to give his team an advantage over Sevilla.
The pair will be back on the field this week, with the two players trying to advance to the quarterfinals. Dortmund host Sevilla on Tuesday, before PSG face Barça on Wednesday, and all Champions League games will be broadcast on Paramount +.
While it is up to PSG, Dortmund, the UEFA draw and the Football Gods to decide whether we have an eventual Mbappe vs Haaland match on the pitch this year, that will not stop us from discussing one of the best debates in the game. now: do you prefer Kylian Mbappe or Erling Haaland?
We asked our panel of football experts. Here’s what they said.
UCL roundtable: Mbappe or Haaland?
James Benge: If I am one of the few hyperclubs for which this option is available, I am using Mbappe for two reasons. First of all, in terms of football, the Frenchman offers that sparkling more versatility in terms of building a front line, he can play both in the open and in the middle, while keeping records. I get assistance from Mbappe every three games instead of every five Haaland. Then there is another crucial factor: the power of the stars. Haaland is brilliant, but does he have the same magnetic energy on and off the field of Mbappe, a player who has the talent to transcend his sport and gain that crucial name recognition around the world? Just look at the way Mbappe scored at the Camp Nou and celebrated for a moment just to find the right camera to pose in the front. I hate to say that, but if I am splitting the threads between these two next generation stars, the quality of the stars is something I will have to consider. After all, something has to finance the huge transfer fee that I would pay for either.
Roger Gonzalez: I’ve been taking Haaland all day. Look, Mbappe is absolutely incredible, he has already won a World Cup and produces moments of magic that made him the face of PSG over Neymar. He is also potentially the next best player in the world. But Haaland has the speed, he has the finishing ability and he has the instinct, but he also has the size. The 6-foot-4 Haaland is absolutely incredible in the air and can offer more chances to score than Mbappe. This ability, I think, will also be sustained in other physical leagues, especially if your future ends in England. Choosing between the two is like asking if you want to vacation in London or Rome. You just can’t go wrong with either, but because of his physical features, his prolific score in front of the goal, his instinct and the fact that he is two years younger, I’m going to catch the nasty Norwegian.
Mike Goodman: I think the answer is clearly Mbappe. Haaland is an incredible scorer for any age, much less for a player just 20 years old, but Mbappe too. Compare your statistics and you will see that Haaland is a little ahead scoring 1.07 goals every 90 minutes against Mbappe’s 0.95. But look at the expected goal totals and they are virtually indistinguishable at 0.83 and 0.85, respectively. What Mbappe brings to the table is much more non-scoring impact. He plays 36 passes for 90, Haaland plays 16. He also plays 2.7 passes for the third striker, Haaland plays 1.3. And, with the ball at his feet, Mbappe faces almost eight players per game and Haaland less than two. Now, when you score as much as Haaland, you don’t have to do all the other things to be one of the best players in the world, but when Mbappe is scoring that goal and doing all the other things, the choice is clear.
Sandra Herrera: Mbappe. Both players are doing impressive stretches at the moment. In the three domestic matches leading up to the UCL round of 16, Mbappe scored four goals, while Haaland scored two. Haaland had the most impressive and consistent streak of matches during UCL as the fastest player with 18 goals in UCL history in 13 games. Even so, Mbappe’s PSG defeated Barcelona after a hat-trick from the French international and is in a position to make another great game.
Jonathan Johnson: I’m going to Mbappe. Haaland is a world-class talent in his own right and any team would be lucky to have him, but Mbappe is still the most important young talent in the world in my eyes. The Norwegian’s rise was meteoric, but that of the French too, and he won a World Cup for France, Ligue 1 four times for PSG and Monaco, both national cups twice each and also reached a Champions League final. All of this before the age of 23. Haaland could still match some of that, but there is no doubt for me, who is still setting the pace here – Mbappe.
So, who should you bet on in the UEFA Champions League match between Borussia Dortmund and Sevilla? And where is the full stake? Visit SportsLine now to see this week’s best bets for the UEFA Champions League, all from the European football insider who has generated over $ 17,600 for $ 100 bettors since the 2017-18 season!