After dominating the competition for 15 years, Messi and Ronaldo’s time at football’s elite level looks to be drawing to a close as both have decided to play in the MLS and Saudi Pro League.

With a new gap opening up for a famous sporting rivalry, it seems Mbappe and Erling Haaland might already be in competition mode for next years’ Ballon d’Or award.

Footage appearing to show the Frenchman ironically clapping Haaland as his name is announced on stage drew instant attention from fans on social media.

Manchester City’s Erling Haaland smiles after being awarded the Gerd Muller Award in Paris

One person wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter: ‘Very Bored Dad At Recital vibes.’

Another said: ‘The rivalry has already begun. The next few years will be worthwhile.’

A third added: ‘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.’

A fourth also joked: ‘Show us how you really feel Kylian,’ while another added: ‘Bro Know he Has some Insane Competition [sic].’

Mbappe’s clapping was not the only viral moment of the night, as IShowSpeed’s meeting with Haaland on the red carpet was widely shared.

The internet star was one of the first celebrities to arrive on the red carpet just after 6pm GMT, posing with Darren Jason Watkins Jr. with his enthusiasm to be at the event clear to see.

Haaland arrived not long after with his partner Isabel Haugseng Johansen and other Manchester City players, including Bernardo Silva, Julian Alvarez, Ruben Dias and Ederson.

Fans took to social media to share their views on the Mbappe video clapping Erling Haaland