Erling Haaland Ignites Kylian Mbappe Rivalry In Post-Match Interview After Champions League Brace
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The era of Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland has officially begun and this week could well be a pivotal point in footballing folklore.
After PSG's Mbappe was the star of the show and scored a stunning hat-trick against Barcelona at the Nou CampHaaland followed it up with a brilliant brace and an assist as Borussia Dortmund ran out 3-2 winners against Sevilla.
Blink and you'll miss Dortmund's blistering attacking play :zap:
Haaland at his terrifying best...
Sancho with the subtle touch...
We had to slow it down to fully appreciate it :heart_eyes:#UCL pic.twitter.com/TBL8Ew2T3J
- Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) February 17, 2021
It continued a ridiculous run for Haaland, who now has 18 goals in 13 games in the Champions League and has scored against every opponent he's come up against.
The 20-year-old's goalscoring exploits in Europe's premier club competition are only matched by Bayern Munich talisman Robert Lewandowski.
The sensational showings from both Mbappe and Haaland has many believing that they are the future of football for years to come.
And Haaland ignited what could prove to be the sport's next big rivalry when he admitted Mbappe's performance the night before spurred him on.
"It was good to score goals," Haaland told Viaplay Fotball in a post-match interview.
"I love the Champions League and when I saw Mbappe score the hat-trick yesterday I got free motivation, so thanks to him.
"He scored some nice goals and I got a good boost from him."
.@ErlingHaaland: - When I saw Mbappé score the hat-trick yesterday I got free motivation, so thanks to him.
♂️ pic.twitter.com/1dh0cpJ3Wt
- Viaplay Fotball (@ViaplayFotball) February 17, 2021
THE RIVALRY HAS BEGUN pic.twitter.com/7qA7pnrG3a
- Lyés (@WholeLottaLyes) February 17, 2021
22-year-old Mbappe:
Hat-trick vs. Barcelona
20-year-old Haaland:
Two goals + assist vs. Sevilla
The kids are alright :fire: @brfootball pic.twitter.com/7RDSNmd4IU
- Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 17, 2021
Haaland when he saw Mbappe's performance yesterday. pic.twitter.com/j3c8sj0X7H
- HaalandReport :flag_no: (@HaalandReport) February 17, 2021
Remember the names. :point_down: pic.twitter.com/xb9wyYDV9t
- Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) February 18, 2021
Ronaldo and Messi disappeared at the same time Haaland and Mbappe showed up... pic.twitter.com/8W8YkvAxoo
- :zap: (@UTD_Ralph) February 17, 2021
The pair are the only two players to have scored 18+ goals before they turned 21. What's more, since last season, the duo have 28 goals in the Champions League between them - and 71 in all competitions.
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, now coming to the end of their historic, unprecedented battle at the highest level, have scored 15 in the Champions League.
With the two greats not getting any younger after well and truly changing the game over the last 10-15 years, it's Mbappe and Haaland who look set to take the reins.
"Those numbers are ridiculous!"
"This could be another rivalry that lasts for 10 years." :punch:
"It's going to be great watching them develop." :sparkles:@GaryLineker, @rioferdy5, Joe Cole and Owen Hargreaves on two incredibly special players - Haaland and Mbappe! pic.twitter.com/xtqfLITbIA
- Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) February 17, 2021
Comparing the two star-boys, pundits on BT Sport were getting incredibly excited about the prospect of these two competing for the top prizes for years to come.
Rio Ferdinand said: "How long have we been sitting him thinking, 'Who's gonna be next? Are we gonna get a rivalry?'. This could be another rivalry that last for 10 years. For me that's the mouthwatering aspect."
Owen Hargreaves added: "Beautiful players. We're not going to get another Ronaldo or Messi but those guys are ready to step up and they look hungry to take the crown from those boys."
Will, 'Mbappe or Haaland?' become the new 'Messi or Ronaldo?' as far as age-old debates go?
Sound off in the comments.
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