FANS are convinced that Kylian Mbappe has started football’s next big rivalry after his reaction to Erling Haaland collecting an award.
The French star was beaten by the Norweigan to the Gerd Muller Trophy which was presented during the Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris.
Mbappe, 24, missed out on the heralded accolade after Haaland’s prolific debut for Manchester City.
The striker netted an outstanding 56 goals for club and country last season which saw him outscore every striker in Europe, including Mbappe.
Mbappe was only two goals short of the former Borussia Dortmund man as he also enjoyed an impressive season with PSG and France.
However as Haaland, 23, went up to collect his award from Gary Lineker, Mbappe looked less than impressed as he gave his rival a slow clap.
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Fans spotted the moment on social media as they claimed that the next big rivalry in football is here.
One fan posted: “Moving like he was forced to clap.”
A second commented: “The rivalry has already begun. The next few years will be worthwhile.”
A third wrote: “Very bored dad at recital vibes.”
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A fourth said: “‘It’s about to be a Ronaldo-Messi affair between those two. There’s Bellingham there too. Mbappe should leave PSG if he really wants that award.”
Other fans joked that Mbappe was upset that Haaland took his sport as the cover star of EA Sports’ EA FC 24 computer game.
One fan joked: “Looks like he didn’t take Haaland nabbing his EA cover star well.”
Another added: “Jealousy is a terrible thing.”
The pair’s potential rivalry will follow the competition between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
That debate was surely ended during the ceremony as Messi was handed his eighth Ballon d’Or award.
Mbappe’s night got worse as he was left alone on his row as the surrounding Manchester City stars were awarded the prize for the best men’s team.
On winning the Gerd Muller award, Haaland said: “It’s a huge honour to receive the Gerd Muller Trophy.
“I couldn’t have scored the number of goals I did last season without all of my teammates and this award is another reminder of the incredible year we all enjoyed together.
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“We work hard every day to win every game and every competition we play in, but to not only lift the first Champions League in this Club’s history but also the Premier League and FA Cup is something none of us could have imagined.
“I’m proud of what we achieved as a team last season, but our focus now is on trying to do it all again this year.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
