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Football is a team sport, but individual moments have often been at the heart of the game.
Whether it be a world-class dribble, an altercation or a stunning strike from distance, individuality has defined games. There is no denying that at the end of the day, the entire club wins and loses together, but these singular moments have had a major impact on the sport.
Player rivalries are an important part of football. It adds to the narrative before a particular game. The El Clasicos of the last decade come to mind, with Cristiano Ronaldo's Real Madrid and Lionel Messi's Barcelona often producing exciting matches.
We look at the 4 greatest player rivalries in football right now.
#4 Mohamed Salah - Sadio Mane
Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane enjoy a good relationship and have been important to Liverpool's success under the management of Jurgen Klopp.
The rivalry is a friendly one. Two of Africa's greatest footballers and two of the best players in world football, Salah and Mane have enjoyed incredible success in recent years. In 2019, the superstar footballers shared the Premier League Golden Boot alongside Arsenal's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, with all three forwards having finished the 2018/\-19 season with 22 league goals.
It is evident that both Mane and Salah prioritize Liverpool's success over individual acknowledgments. The duo, alongside Brazilian Roberto Firmino, form one of the most feared attacking tridents in world football.
#3 Kevin De Bruyne - Bruno Fernandes
Kevin De Bruyne and Bruno Fernandes are the best midfielders in the Premier League right now, and what makes this matchup spicier is the fact that they represent rival clubs.
Fernandes' impact since arriving at Manchester United has been well-covered. The Portugal international is a firm fan favourite among the Old Trafford faithful, a player capable of changing games with his magic and sheer determination.
Kevin De Bruyne, on the other hand, is one of the best in the world. A creative genius, the Belgium international has arguably been the best player in the Premier League since his arrival in 2015. Regarded as a complete midfielder, De Bruyne is already seen by some as one of the Premier League's all-time greats.
#2 Erling Braut Haaland - Kylian Mbappe
The next great rivalry in football is here. The two young superstars have firmly established themselves as the future of the sport, and there is no denying that Erling Braut Haaland and Kylian Mbappe hold a grudging admiration for each other.
Haaland is the best young striker in the world, and one of the best strikers in world football. The 21-year old is scoring goals for fun at Borussia Dortmund and it is highly unlikely he will remain with the Bundesliga giants for long, with several top clubs in Europe desperate to sign him.
Mbappe, on the other hand, is one of the best players in the world. The 22-year old has achieved enormous success in the sport despite his young age. The French star might not have enjoyed the best of summers with the national team, but it is not surprising to see Real Madrid persistently pursue the Paris Saint-Germain sensation.
#1 Cristiano Ronaldo - Lionel Messi
Two of the greatest players to have played the game, the Lionel Messi-Cristiano Ronaldo rivalry has defined football for some time now.
One of the greatest sporting rivalries of all time, the Messi-Ronaldo debate has taken up an unhealthy amount of time in a football fan's life. Discussion about who is the better footballer between the two rages on, with both superstars continuing to perform at a high level.
With Messi set to join Paris Saint-Germain, there is no sign of the debate stopping any time soon. However, it is highly unlikely that we will witness such an intense rivalry in football in the near future.
Also Read: 5 best ball-playing centre-backs in football right now
