Haaland vs Mbappé 2026: Who's Better?
Haaland leads in pure goal-scoring efficiency with a 0.88 goals-per-game ratio across his career, while Mbappé excels in overall playmaking with 90+ career assists and superior dribbling metrics, making them differently elite strikers.
Erling Haaland
Norwegian striker with 220+ goals in 7 years; currently at Manchester City with elite finishing efficiency.
Teams using tactical systems with dedicated playmakers and service to a central finisher; managers prioritizing goal output above all
Kylian Mbappé
French forward age 25 with 300+ career goals and highest peak efficiency in modern football
Teams valuing creative, dynamic attacks with roaming forwards; systems needing a player who can both score and orchestrate play; coaches seeking positional flexibility and ball progression
Quick Answer
AI SummaryHaaland leads in pure goal-scoring efficiency with a 0.88 goals-per-game ratio across his career, while Mbappé excels in overall playmaking with 90+ career assists and superior dribbling metrics, making them differently elite strikers.
Our Verdict
AI-assistedChoose Haaland if you prioritize a pure goal-scorer with elite finishing, penalty conversion (92% success rate), and clinical box presence in a structured system. Choose Mbappé if you value a complete forward who can dribble past defenders, create for teammates, and carry the ball forward while maintaining 90+ career assists—ideal for teams needing creative attack leadership.
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TIE — neck and neck
Choose Erling Haaland if
Teams using tactical systems with dedicated playmakers and service to a central finisher; managers prioritizing goal output above all
Choose Kylian Mbappé if
Teams valuing creative, dynamic attacks with roaming forwards; systems needing a player who can both score and orchestrate play; coaches seeking positional flexibility and ball progression
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Key Differences at a Glance
- Career Goals-Per-Game Ratio:✓ Erling Haaland wins(0.88 goals/game vs 0.76 goals/game)
- Career Assists:✓ Kylian Mbappé wins(92 assists vs 31 assists)
- Top Speed Recorded:✓ Kylian Mbappé wins(36.2 km/h vs 35.8 km/h)
Key Facts & Figures
44 numeric metrics compared
| Metric | Erling Haaland | Kylian Mbappé | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Career Goals-Per-Game(goals/match) | 0.87 | 0.89 | |
| World Cup Titles(titles) | 0 | 0 | |
| Champions League Goals(goals) | 41 goals | 89 | |
| Career Goals-Per-Game Ratio(goals per match) | 0.88 | 0.63 | |
| Career Assists(assists) | 31 assists | 68 assists | |
| Champions League Goals (Career)(goals) | 36 goals | 28 goals | |
| Penalty Conversion Rate(%) | 92% | 87% | |
| Dribbles per 90 Minutes(dribbles) | 2.1 | 3.8 | |
| Top Speed Recorded(km/h) | 35.8 km/h | 44 km/h | |
| Current Age (2025-26 Season)(years) | 24 years | 25 years | |
| Career Goals Total(goals) | 220+ goals | — | — |
| Goals Per Season (5-Year Average)(goals/season) | 36 goals/season | — | — |
| Ballon d'Or Awards(count) | 1 award | 0 | |
| Current Age(years) | 24 years | 25 | |
| Career Span(years) | 7 years (2019-2025) | — | — |
| International Goals(goals) | 34 goals in 70 caps | 47 goals (87 matches) | |
| xG Overperformance Rate(%) | 18.2% above xG | — | — |
| Height(inches) | 182cm | 182cm | |
| Sprint Speed Rating (FIFA/EA Sports)(points) | 91 | 91 | |
| International Goals Scored(goals) | 32 | 32 | |
| Current Market Value (2026)(€M) | €157M | €157M | |
| Champions League Titles(titles) | 2 | 2 | |
| Career Goals(goals) | 410 (age 27) | 410 (age 27) | |
| Top Speed (Peak)(km/h) | 35 | 35 | |
| Games Played (Career)(games) | 544 | 544 | |
| Goals Per Game Ratio(goals/game) | 0.75 | 0.75 | |
| Career Total Goals(goals) | 300+ | 300+ | |
| Maximum Recorded Speed(km/h) | 37.5 | 37.5 | |
| Elite League Seasons (40+ Goals)(seasons) | 6 seasons | 6 seasons | |
| Career Goals (All Competitions)(goals) | 170 goals | 170 goals | |
| Dribbling Success Rate (2025-26)(%) | 62% | 62% | |
| Major Trophies Won(trophies) | 23 (4 Ligue 1, 1 Champions League, 1 Copa del Rey, 17 others) | 23 (4 Ligue 1, 1 Champions League, 1 Copa del Rey, 17 others) | |
| Career Goals (as of 2026)(goals) | 310+ goals | 310+ goals | |
| International Assists (Career Total)(assists) | 45+ assists | 45+ assists | |
| World Cup Championships(titles) | 1 title | 1 title | |
| Continental Championships(titles) | 0 titles | 0 titles | |
| Estimated Career Games Missed (Injuries)(games) | 35+ games | 35+ games | |
| Dribbles per 90 Minutes (Average)(dribbles) | 5.1 dribbles | 5.1 dribbles | |
| Peak Sprint Speed(km/h) | 33.6 | 33.6 | |
| 2024-25 Season Goals(goals) | 44 | 44 | |
| 2024-25 Season Assists(assists) | 7 | 7 | |
| Major Career Trophies(trophies) | 8 | 8 | |
| Injury Absence Rate (2024-25)(% of matches) | 8% | 8% | |
| Optimal Match Duration(minutes) | 90 | 90 |
Sourced from publicly available data ·
Key Differences
7 attributes compared head-to-head
- 0.88 goals/game(winner)Career Goals-Per-Game Ratio0.76 goals/game
- 31 assistsCareer Assists92 assists(winner)
- 35.8 km/hTop Speed Recorded36.2 km/h(winner)
- 2.1 dribbles/90Dribbles Per 90 Minutes3.8 dribbles/90(winner)
- 36 goals(winner)Champions League Goals28 goals
- 24 years oldAge at Peak Performance (2025)25 years old
- Right-footedPreferred FootRight-footed
- Career Goals-Per-Game Ratio
Erling Haaland
0.88 goals/game(winner)
Kylian Mbappé
0.76 goals/game
- Career Assists
Erling Haaland
31 assists
Kylian Mbappé
92 assists(winner)
- Top Speed Recorded
Erling Haaland
35.8 km/h
Kylian Mbappé
36.2 km/h(winner)
- Dribbles Per 90 Minutes
Erling Haaland
2.1 dribbles/90
Kylian Mbappé
3.8 dribbles/90(winner)
- Champions League Goals
Erling Haaland
36 goals(winner)
Kylian Mbappé
28 goals
- Age at Peak Performance (2025)
Erling Haaland
24 years old
Kylian Mbappé
25 years old
- Preferred Foot
Erling Haaland
Right-footed
Kylian Mbappé
Right-footed
Full Comparison
| Attribute | Erling Haaland | Kylian Mbappé |
|---|---|---|
| Career Goals-Per-Game(goals/match) | 0.87 | 0.89(winner) |
| xG Overperformance Rate(%) | 18.2% above xG | — |
| World Cup Titles(titles) | 0 | 0 |
| World Cup Championships(titles) | 1 title | — |
| Continental Championships(titles) | 0 titles | — |
| Champions League Goals(goals) | 41 goals | 89(winner) |
| Career Goals-Per-Game Ratio(goals per match) | 0.88(winner) | 0.63 |
| Career Assists(assists) | 31 assists | 68 assists(winner) |
| International Assists (Career Total)(assists) | 45+ assists | — |
| Champions League Goals (Career)(goals) | 36 goals(winner) | 28 goals |
| Penalty Conversion Rate(%) | 92%(winner) | 87% |
| Dribbles per 90 Minutes(dribbles) | 2.1 | 3.8(winner) |
| Top Speed Recorded(km/h) | 35.8 km/h | 44 km/h(winner) |
| Peak Sprint Speed(km/h) | 33.6 | — |
| Current Age (2025-26 Season)(years) | 24 years(winner) | 25 years |
| Preferred Playing Style | Central striker (pure finisher) | Roaming forward (playmaker-scorer hybrid) |
| Career Goals Total(goals) | 220+ goals | — |
| Goals Per Season (5-Year Average)(goals/season) | 36 goals/season | — |
| Ballon d'Or Awards(count) | 1 award(winner) | 0 |
| Current Age(years) | 24 years(winner) | 25 |
| Career Span(years) | 7 years (2019-2025) | — |
| International Goals(goals) | 34 goals in 70 caps | 47 goals (87 matches)(winner) |
| Height(inches) | 182cm | — |
| Top Speed (Peak)(km/h) | 35 | — |
| Maximum Recorded Speed(km/h) | 37.5 | — |
| Sprint Speed Rating (FIFA/EA Sports)(points) | 91 | — |
| International Goals Scored(goals) | 32 | — |
| Current Market Value (2026)(€M) | €157M | — |
| Real Madrid First 90 Games Comparison(performance index) | Superior statistical output vs Ronaldo's period | — |
| Champions League Titles(titles) | 2 | — |
| Career Goals(goals) | 410 (age 27) | — |
| Career Goals (All Competitions)(goals) | 170 goals | — |
| Games Played (Career)(games) | 544 | — |
| Goals Per Game Ratio(goals/game) | 0.75 | — |
| Career Total Goals(goals) | 300+ | — |
| Major Trophies Won(trophies) | 23 (4 Ligue 1, 1 Champions League, 1 Copa del Rey, 17 others) | — |
| Major Career Trophies(trophies) | 8 | — |
| Elite League Seasons (40+ Goals)(seasons) | 6 seasons | — |
| Dribbling Success Rate (2025-26)(%) | 62% | — |
| Career Goals (as of 2026)(goals) | 310+ goals | — |
| Estimated Career Games Missed (Injuries)(games) | 35+ games | — |
| Dribbles per 90 Minutes (Average)(dribbles) | 5.1 dribbles | — |
| 2024-25 Season Goals(goals) | 44 | — |
| 2024-25 Season Assists(assists) | 7 | — |
| Injury Absence Rate (2024-25)(% of matches) | 8% | — |
| Optimal Match Duration(minutes) | 90 | — |
Erling HaalandKylian MbappéPros & Cons
10 pros·6 cons across both
Erling Haaland
Pros
- 0.88 career goals-per-game ratio (highest among active top strikers)
- 36 Champions League goals at age 24 (fastest to reach milestone)
- 92% penalty conversion rate across career
- Dominant physical presence at 6'4" with superior aerial dominance (67% header success rate)
- Elite finishing in crowded penalty areas with 8-second average time-to-shot
Cons
- Only 31 career assists—heavily reliant on teammates' creativity
- Injury history includes groin and foot issues limiting availability (missed 14+ games in 2024-25)
- Lower dribble success rate (41%) when isolated without service
Kylian Mbappé
Pros
- 92 career assists—creates offensive chances alongside scoring (unique dual-threat capability)
- 3.8 dribbles per 90 minutes with 56% success rate (elite ball-carrying for a striker)
- 36.2 km/h top speed and superior pressing (74 tackles/interceptions across 2024-25 season)
- Consistent 0.76 goals-per-game across Ligue 1, La Liga, and La Liga with different teams
- Career versatility playing left wing, right wing, and center forward positions
Cons
- 0.76 goals-per-game ratio trails Haaland by 12% in pure finishing efficiency
- Slower adaptation to new tactical systems (8-game adjustment period at new clubs typical)
- Outside shooting accuracy lower (31% from 20+ yards vs Haaland's 38%)
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questions
Haaland is the superior pure goal scorer with a 0.88 goals-per-game career ratio versus Mbappé's 0.76, and he holds 36 Champions League goals to Mbappé's 28. However, Mbappé contributes 92 career assists to Haaland's 31, making him more complete offensively despite lower goal conversion.
Resources & Learn More
Curated sources to dive deeper
Wikipedia
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