Mbappé: A World Cup Without Neymar is Unthinkable

As the footballing world turns its eyes to Foxborough, Massachusetts, a titanic clash awaits at the Gillette Stadium. This evening, France and Brazil—two of the sport's most decorated nations—face off in a high-stakes friendly. Amidst the pre-match fervour, French captain and Real Madrid talisman Kylian Mbappé sat down with the Brazilian outlet Globo, offering a fascinating glimpse into his psyche regarding teammates, rivals, and the upcoming 2026 World Cup.

The Dilemma: Vinícius or Neymar?

The interview took an intriguing turn when Mbappé was asked a "trap" question: Does this current Brazilian squad belong to Vinícius Júnior or Neymar? It was a delicate position for the Frenchman; Vinícius is his current partner-in-crime at Real Madrid, while Neymar was his long-term comrade at Paris Saint-Germain from 2017 to 2023.

Despite past rumours of a fractured relationship in Paris, Mbappé chose to laud the veteran. "What a question!" he remarked with a chuckle. "I believe it belongs to both. Vinícius is evolving and needs to take that final step for the national team, but Neymar is... well, he’s Neymar. An extraordinary player."

The World Cup Conundrum

Neymar’s path to the 2026 World Cup remains shrouded in uncertainty. Following a series of debilitating injuries and a lack of consistent match fitness at Santos, Brazil’s head coach, Carlo Ancelotti, opted to omit the playmaker from the current squad. With the tournament starting on 11 June, these final friendlies are crucial. Neymar's absence suggests he might not be in Ancelotti’s definitive plans.

Mbappé, however, remains a staunch advocate for his former teammate's inclusion:

"The World Cup is a competition for stars. In my eyes, Neymar is one of the greatest. I simply cannot imagine a World Cup without him. He is a 'difference-maker'—someone who changes the script of a game in a second."

While acknowledging he cannot go against the tactical decisions of his former Real Madrid coach, Ancelotti, Mbappé expressed firm belief that Neymar would find a way to be ready. "I know him; he will be there," he asserted.

Comparative Snapshot: France vs. Brazil

To understand the weight of this fixture, one must look at the pedigree of both nations. While Brazil holds the record for titles, France has dominated their recent head-to-head encounters in major tournaments.

Respect for the Five Stars

Despite France's higher ranking and recent tactical superiority, Mbappé dismissed the notion that his side are the favourites. "You can never be the favourite against a team with five stars on their chest," he insisted. "Brazil remains the greatest footballing nation. This match is a litmus test for us to see our true potential as we prepare for the summer."

Echoing Vinícius Júnior’s sentiment that there is "no such thing as a friendly" between these two giants, Mbappé noted that while the players remain close friends off the pitch, the 90 minutes on the grass will be a fierce battle for supremacy.

A Tale of Two Coaches

Finally, Mbappé reflected on his unique position of having played under both managers involved in this saga: Didier Deschamps for France and Carlo Ancelotti at club level. He described the experience as a "golden opportunity" to witness two polar-opposite philosophies of victory. While Deschamps provides stability and national pride, Ancelotti—now tasked with reviving the Seleção—commands "immense respect" for his tactical genius.