Austria’s head coach, Ralf Rangnick, believes that Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has overtaken Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe as the best striker in the world. According to Rangnick, Haaland’s recent form gives him an edge over Mbappe, who has not been at his best.
Haaland has had a phenomenal start to the 2024-25 season, scoring seven goals in just three Premier League games. This comes after an impressive 2023-24 season where he netted 38 goals in 45 matches across all competitions. These performances support Rangnick’s claim that Haaland is currently ahead of Mbappe.
On the other hand, Mbappe has faced criticism for his below-par performance at Euro 2024 with France and a slow start in La Liga this season. Although he remains one of the most talented forwards, his form has been inconsistent.
Before Norway’s 2-1 victory over Austria in the UEFA Nations League, Rangnick expressed his views: “A few months ago, I would have said Haaland and Mbappe were the top two strikers in the world. But right now, I believe Haaland is the best because Kylian is not at his peak.”
Rangnick went on to praise Haaland’s unique skills, saying, “Haaland has very few weaknesses. For a player of his size, he is extremely fast and agile, and he has incredible jumping ability.”
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Mbappe’s Time at Real Madrid: A Period of Adjustment
Despite his recent struggles, Real Madrid still values Kylian Mbappe highly. The club was able to sign him as a free agent during the summer transfer window after years of trying to bring him over from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).
Since his arrival at Real Madrid, Mbappe has had a mixed start. He scored in his debut during the UEFA Super Cup, but he then went through a three-match goal drought in La Liga. However, he recently found his form again, scoring two goals in a match against Real Betis.
A source within Real Madrid commented on Mbappe’s transition to the team, suggesting that his early struggles were expected. The source told The Athletic, “It hasn’t been perfect, but it’s nothing to worry about either.”
The source also explained that Mbappe’s adjustment is part of the process of integrating into a team undergoing significant changes. “It’s a normal adaptation period to a team that has seen many changes, and he is gradually finding his place,” they said.
In conclusion, while Haaland’s form has put him ahead in the eyes of many, Mbappe is still settling into his new environment and has shown flashes of his potential, leaving room for future comparison between the two top talents.
