With Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi reaching the tail end of their glittering careers, attentions have long since turned to who will be their successors.
After plenty of contenders in recent years, the general consensus has now settled on Erling Haaland vs Kylian Mbappe being the next goalscoring rivalry to dominate world football. Haaland, 22, has been in sensational form for Manchester City whilst 24-year-old Mbappe has long been established as one of the very best.
Inevitably, the pair have been asked about their status as the heirs apparent to Ronaldo and Messi, as well as the prospect of a relationship building with one another. However, the pair have showed how they differ with their responses.
Asked earlier this week about whether him vs Mbappe will be the next big rivalry, Haaland told Viaplay : "It's impossible to say. I don't like to compare myself with others. I think you need to be your own player when it comes to that so I don't like to compare or anything with that.
"I think the media has been doing that with Ronaldo and Messi for the last 10 years and I think they've been pushing each other as well. I think it's been a positive thing.
"Barcelona and Madrid against each other. It's been the perfect rivalry. But I don't think about this, honestly."
Haaland's comments appear to indicate he accepts the rivalry with Mbappe is almost inevitable and is prepared for the inevitable comparisons it will bring. However, the Frenchman gave a different response when asked about Haaland in an interview with Esquire magazine last year.
Instead of embracing the rivalry, he seemed to down play the chances of Haaland being able to keep pace and compete with him in the long run.
"It's the beginning for him," Mbappe said. "I'm happy for him, for what he's doing. However, I didn't just play up front, I played left and right."
"In all modesty, I don't think anyone is capable of changing a position like that every year and maintaining a great performance at the highest level."
Since Mbappe made those comments, Haaland has simply gone from strength to strength under the guidance of Pep Guardiola in the Premier League. Whether the French star likes it or not, the comparisons between the pair are not going to go away and becoming the next Messi and Ronaldo seems inevitable - even if nobody could quite compare.
