Thierry Henry Chooses Between Mbappé and Haaland: “He Has More Talent”

The recent Manchester City vs. Real Madrid clash once again put Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland in the spotlight as two of the world’s best footballers. Both players had key moments in the match, with the French star scoring the equalizer and the Norwegian striker netting both goals for City—his first-ever goals against Real Madrid.

As a pundit for CBS, former French star Thierry Henry shared his thoughts on the two players and didn’t hold back in making his choice:

“For me, Kylian has more talent and offers different solutions. He can play in all attacking positions. He’s been trying to play as a No. 9 for a year and a half. He attempted it at Paris Saint-Germain, but it didn’t work out well. Now, he’s doing it at Real Madrid, the biggest club in Europe, and he has to adapt. Haaland, on the other hand, has been a No. 9 since the beginning of his career,” Henry explained.

A Comparison to Messi and Ronaldo?

Henry also commented on how the football world initially believed Mbappé and Haaland would replicate the legendary rivalry between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

“We thought they would be the two who would try to match Messi and Ronaldo. But now, instead of focusing on what they have become, people always question their playing style. Not their stats, because their goal records are incredible. Maybe they’re not the two best in the world, but they are at the top. Some will prefer Mbappé, others Vinicius, others Lamine Yamal. It doesn’t matter; I’m just saying it’s not as clear-cut as we once thought,” he concluded.

Interestingly, despite his strong admiration for Mbappé, Henry—who is France’s Olympic coach—does not consider him the outright best player in the world. This is surprising given his persistent efforts to include him in the French squad for the upcoming Olympic Games.

Real Madrid Delighted with Mbappé

At Real Madrid, there has never been any doubt about Kylian Mbappé’s potential. Club president Florentino Pérez has always believed in him, confident that he will fully showcase his abilities over time. Although his start wasn’t as explosive as expected, he has been improving steadily, though he has yet to reach his peak.

Moreover, at Valdebebas, his great relationship with teammates is frequently highlighted. Many skeptics suggested he would disrupt the locker room and struggle to connect with Vinicius, Bellingham, and others. However, those close to the team emphasize how well he has integrated. Mbappé has become a key figure in Carlo Ancelotti’s squad, both on and off the pitch.