Pique warns Haaland to avoid joining the same team as Mbappe

Gerard Pique has told Erling Haaland to avoid joining the same team as Kylian Mbappe if he wants to win the Ballon d'Or.

The ambitious Haaland is widely expected to leave Borussia Dortmund at the end of the season, with Real Madrid and Barcelona among the clubs firmly in the chase.

It appears that Madrid are in the driving seat currently, although they are also firm favourites to snap up Mbappe when he leaves Paris Saint-Germain next summer.

That would leave the club blessed with attacking options, although Pique believes this competition would be detrimental to Haaland's bid to clinch future gongs.

Speaking to streamer Ibai Llanos on Twitch, the veteran Barcelona defender voiced his opinion on what is set to be one of this year's biggest transfer sagas.

'If I were Haaland and I wanted to win the Ballon d'Or, I wouldn't go to the same team as Mbappe,' he said. 

It has been claimed by AS that Haaland is a priority for Barcelona but not for Madrid, their fierce rivals. Instead, their sights are set firmly on Mbappe.

Pique's comments have been interpreted as thinly-veiled advice for world-renowned hitman Haaland, with some suggesting he is looking to lure him to the Nou Camp.

However, Madrid have reportedly made their first move in their attempts to beat off the fierce competition and recruit Haaland for next season.

Spanish publication Libertad Digital have reported that Madrid have contacted super-agent Mino Raiola to discuss a switch for the ace.

The club's owners are said to be confident that Haaland would only join them if he was to make a big-money transfer across to LaLiga.