Strikers’ duel: The 2025-2026 Golden Shoe race promises an epic battle between Mbappé and Haaland | OneFootball

Kylian Mbappé

At the start of the season, Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappé are showing no mercy to opposing defenses. The two strikers are locked in a duel that could remain thrilling right up to the end of the campaign.

The race for the 2025-2026 Golden Shoe between Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland is already heating up. After recently claiming the trophy, Mbappé has made it clear he’s determined to retain his title, while Haaland, from Manchester, looks ready to respond blow for blow. Both forwards are already putting up impressive numbers; the Frenchman bagged a brace against Valencia, only for Haaland to immediately answer with a double against Bournemouth. The result: 13 goals each and a breathless race for the coveted Golden Shoe.

This is shaping up to be a real clash of titans. Mbappé and Haaland have already pulled away from the pack, leaving only a few chasers like Harry Kane or Serbia’s Darko Lemajic in their wake. With one game less played, Haaland may have a potential advantage over Mbappé.