Barcelona defender Dani Alves has had his say on the raging debate surrounding Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland.
In an interview with Spanish publication SPORT, Dani Alves has given his verdict on the Kylian Mbappe-Erling Haaland debate. The Barcelona defender has claimed that he would prefer to sign Mbappe instead of Haaland, suggesting he could make a significant investment on the Paris Saint-Germain attacker.
Pundits and fans alike have tipped Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland to form a new-age rivalry that can remind them of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo from their heydays. The prodigious attackers have already shown signs that they will be the two best players in the world for the better part of the next decade.
Mbappe has been in a league of his own in Ligue 1 in the last half a decade, with his exploits this season leaving onlookers amazed. The 23-year-old has an excellent record of 28 goals and 20 assists in 38 appearances across all competitions.
On the other hand, Haaland has a fantastic tally of 23 goals and seven assists in 25 appearances this term. With the duo being two of the most prolific players in Europe, it is hardly surprising that they are primed for bright futures over the next decade.
Erling Haaland or Kylian Mbappe? Dani Alves knows who he'd take ? pic.twitter.com/j56nAAy791
— GOAL (@goal) April 8, 2022
Unsurprisingly, Mbappe and Haaland have been heavily linked with some of the most high profile clubs in Europe, including Real Madrid and Barcelona. And now, Dani Alves has given his verdict on the raging debate surrounding the two prodigious attacking players.
The Barcelona defender said, “I wouldn’t throw everything at Haaland. Honestly, I wouldn’t spend a lot of money on him. On Mbappe, yes, but not Haaland. I’m playing as a sporting director here, but I’d bet on Mbappe first. He seems more complete in every aspect.”
“If you’re going to make a huge investment, you have to do it on the best. If it was up to me, I’d bet on Mbappe. Football today doesn’t give time for the youngsters to cut their teeth. Sport demands the most of you from the start. However I would not spend a lot of money on certain players.”
Judging by Alves’s comments, the Barcelona legend is clear who will have a better career in the coming decade. And while Mbappe has been heavily linked with Barcelona, the Real Madrid target has no interest in joining the Blaugrana. Haaland might also be beyond Barcelona’s reach, and the Catalan giants might have to suffice with making cost-effective signings for now.