Football
The Best! Kylian Mbappe eager to see Neymar play at 2026 World Cup
France international Kylian Mbappe hopes his former Paris Saint-Germain teammate Neymar will be fit to feature at the World Cup.
Neymar has been out of the Brazil national team since Oct. 2023, having struggle with injuries. The former Barcelona star is currently in a race against the clock to regain his fitness in time to play at his fourth World Cup this summer.
Speaking ahead of tonight’s World Cup warmup game against Brazil, Neymar opened up on how much he wants to see Neymar play at the tournament.
“The World Cup is a competition of stars,” Mbappé said.
“All the stars are here, and in my book, Neymar is one of the biggest stars. I can’t imagine the World Cup without Neymar. But in the end, I can’t go against my former coach, [Carlo] Ancelotti. I have to respect his decision.”
NEYMAR JR and Kylian MBAPPE enjoyed good time at together at PSG. (Photo by Philippe Lecoeur/FEP/Icon Sport via Getty Images)
Asked if this Brazil squad is that of Neymar or of his Real Madrid teammate Vinícius Júnior, Mbappé said: “Vini now needs to take another step forward with the national team, but Neymar is Neymar. Neymar is a fantastic player.”
Vinícius, meanwhile, is rooting for Neymar to be fit for the World Cup. “The pressure on Ney is normal,” he said. “I’m biased, Ney is one of my idols. He’s doing everything to be 100%, to return to the national team.
“Now, the decision rests with the coach. But we players always want to play with the best.”
Brazil will be without Neymar against France, but Ancelotti, who will announce his World Cup squad on May 18, insisted the Santos forward still has a chance to make the cut provided he is 100% fit.
Asked about the ongoing debate on Neymar’ absence, Ancelotti said on Wednesday: “I observe everything, I listen to everything. But my role is to make decisions. It’s normal that everyone can have an opinion, because football isn’t an exact science.
“Everyone has their opinion, and I have to respect everyone’s opinion.”