[Football] Haaland or Mbappe as the next GOAT?

[Zeberdi]

Mbappe (until this season) has had more club goals and assists and international titles than Haaland but the Norwegian is still improving- if that’s even possible- he’s just had a phenomenal week and scored his 6th hat trick this season for Citeh this evening against Burnley.


Watching him, his acceleration and ability to carve space out of nothing blows my mind.

So how is he now comparing to Mbappe as a contender for the GOAT accolade? And how do we shut him down without leaving gaps elsewhere in our defence?

 

[Brighton Lines]

Haaland, for me, will be in a class of his own. He's not human.

 

[Rookie]

Mbappe is a more complete footballer, can play in a number of positions. Haaland is just a goal scoring machine (not a bad thing), but couldn’t play in any other position than 9

 

[KZNSeagull]

Depends on how many international finals Norway qualify for.

 

[Blackadder]

Scrub that. Deleted

 

[Seagull27]

How can you have "the next GOAT"? There can only be one GOAT. And I'll stick my neck out and say neither of these will surpass Messi's greatness.

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

Haaland, for me, will be in a class of his own. He's not human.

Agree. Till he gets injured.

But he is a pleasure to watch and his enjoyment of the game and his goals are refreshing. Only the most churlish one-eyed supporter of another club could disapprove.

The exact opposite of sulky-pants Zaha, in fact.

 

[Swansman]

Can't have a fecking Norwegian as GOAT... not ok

 

[Lurchy]

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia needs to be in the conversation also.

 

[Stephen Seagull]

GOAT - There is no way either of these even get close to lacing Ronaldo's boots let alone get a sniff of Messi

We have been blessed to have had these two in our game at the same time but please don't revert to the simple labelling. They're both good but they'll never be the "greatest"

 

[Zeberdi]

How can you have "the next GOAT"? There can only be one GOAT. And I'll stick my neck out and say neither of these will surpass Messi's greatness.

Because the GOAT is only a valid accolade retrospectively

— it does not obviously look into the future so unless you have a glass ball, there is always the possibility of the GOAT being from the next generation of footballers (Who haven’t matured yet)

The conversation at least in some people’s minds is moving on from Messi as the GOAT (as it did from Pele, Di Stefano, Maradona, Cruyev and Renaldo etc)

Haaland is already breaking multiple club and CL records and at just 22 years old has already surpassed records Messi set at the same age in the CL - Messi didn’t reach the 30 goal tally until he was 23. Haaland broke that this week as well as another of Messi’s game tally records by scoring all 5 of his goals against RB Leipzig last week in the knockout stages of the CL within in 60 mins cf to Messi’s 5 against Barcelona. Haaland also surpassed Mbappe’s record as the youngest striker to reach the 30 goal CL tally and is heading for a remarkable 50 goal season (in all comps)

They are very different players though and agree Messi even now has skills Haaland doesn’t posses - Messi tends to dribble the ball himself into into a shooting opportunity whereas Haaland attacks the space to receive the ball from his teammates then shoot therefore Messi can effectively win a game even if his teammates are playing below par but Haaland‘s ability to read the play and where the ball will end up is remarkable.

Time will tell if Haaland (or Mbappe) surpasses Messi as the GOAT all round footballer, perhaps not but if the GOAT is just about goal scoring stats and the GOAT striker, then Haaland is already breaking records at a younger age.

 

[Seagull27]

but if the GOAT is just about goal scoring stats

It's not.

 

[Zeberdi]

It's not.

You missed my point and took my comment out of context - I said time will tell if Messi is surpassed as the GOAT and said perhaps not by Mbappe or Haaland (agreeing with you!) but some are suggesting there are already young contenders in the making. I also said IF it was just down to goal scoring, then Haaland is breaking records - I didn’t say the GOAT in football WAS/IS just down to goal scoring!

edit - Assessing GOATs of any discipline/sport can also sometimes be a case of comparing apples and oranges - so narrowing down the parameters can make more logical assessments sometimes. Is it the most titles ( which - often depends on your nationality)? The most goals scored? The best 9 or the best all rounder/versatile player etc etc?

 

[Hugo Rune]

Halland will probably be the GOAT No.9.

Messi will remain as the overall GOAT for a very long time.

 

[Zeberdi]

Halland will probably be the GOAT No.9.

Messi will remain as the overall GOAT for a very long time.

This is a sensible distinction imo

and true of Messi until it isn’t anymore

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

How can you have "the next GOAT"? There can only be one GOAT. And I'll stick my neck out and say neither of these will surpass Messi's greatness.

What I am thinking.