Kylian Mbappe made clear his love for Neymar but refused to criticise Carlo Ancelotti
Kylian Mbappe refused to criticise Carlo Ancelotti but backed former team-mate Neymar to shake off his injury worries and play for Brazil at the World Cup.
Neymar’s absence from Ancelotti’s squad for the international friendlies against France tonight and Croatia next week has caused uproar in Brazil with the Santos forward now looking unlikely to make the global showpiece this summer.
Ancelotti suggested it was due to Neymar’s ongoing fitness issues but Mbappe believes his former Paris Saint-Germain strike partner will be fit and firing come June.
Mbappe said: “For me, Neymar is a player who makes the difference. I played with him, I learned a lot from him. We’ll have to see how he is physically. But I know Neymar – he’ll be ready, he’ll be there. I know him.”
Mbappe had to tread a fine line between backing Neymar but also making clear he was not going against his former Real Madrid boss Ancelotti, who he worked under last season at the Santiago Bernabeu.
He added: “Neymar is a fantastic player. The World Cup is the competition of stars. All the stars are there, and for me Neymar is one of the biggest. I can’t imagine a World Cup without Neymar. But in the end, I can’t go against my former coach, Ancelotti. I have to respect his decision.”
France are not favourites against Brazil – Mbappe
Mbappe was speaking in an interview with Globoesporte ahead of the game with Brazil at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro.
Les Bleus appear in better shape than a Brazil side that finished fifth in Conmebol qualifying but Mbappe dismissed the notion France are favourites for tonight’s clash.
“You can never be favourites against a team that has five stars on the shirt. Impossible,” said the 27-year-old.
“Brazil is the biggest country in football. Five stars on the shirt, five World Cup wins is historic. For us, it is an opportunity to play against Brazil, to show our quality, what we are capable of doing and to prepare to win the World Cup this summer.”
Brazil legends slam Ancelotti call on Neymar
Ancelotti’s decision not to call up Neymar for this international break has prompted criticism from two former Brazil strikers.
Romario, who is now a politician in Rio de Janeiro, said: “A star player has to play. The national team is the place for the best and most talented players. Preparation for the World Cup lasts a month and that’s sufficient time for an athlete to recover, both physically and technically, to gain match rhythm and to build chemistry with the group.
“It is better to have a star player like Neymar, even when he is not at 100 per cent, than to call up any other player. Talent must not be wasted. And a coach can never do without it. I still hold out hope of seeing Neymar prove on the pitch he deserves to be on the final list and bring home the sixth world title. Of course I will support the team, whatever happens. But the message is clear: Pay attention Carlo Ancelotti.”
Ronaldo says Neymar’s experience would be key in the United States, Canada and Mexico, even if he was not able to play every game.
“If Neymar is physically fit, I would take him to the World Cup,” he said. “Perhaps he will not play every match, but he is a player who has already proven his worth everywhere he has been.”
In response, Ancelotti played a straight bat yesterday at his pre-match press conference, simply stating: “I observe and hear everything that is said about Neymar. It’s normal. Everyone can have an opinion on football. There is no clear science. I have to respect everyone’s opinion.”
Neymar, his country’s record goalscorer with 79 in 128 games, has not played for Brazil since October 2023, when he tore the ACL and meniscus in his left knee.
