Tonight at the Foxborough Gillette Stadium in the United States, France will face Brazil in a high-profile friendly match, kicking off at 8:00 PM local time (Bangladesh time 2:00 AM). Ahead of the encounter, French superstar Kylian Mbappé spoke to Brazilian media outlet Globo, reflecting on Neymar, his former PSG teammate, and the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup.
During the interview, Mbappé was asked whether he viewed Brazil’s national team through the lens of Vinícius Júnior, his current Real Madrid colleague, or Neymar, his ex-PSG teammate. The question posed a subtle challenge, as both players have close professional ties with Mbappé.
Mbappé responded with characteristic humour and respect:
“What a question! I trust both of them. Vinícius needs to take another step at the national level, and Neymar… well, Neymar is simply extraordinary.”
The French forward went on to discuss Neymar’s World Cup prospects. The Brazilian star has been absent from the national team for over two years due to recurring injuries and limited match fitness. Even during this international break, Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti has not called him up. With the World Cup set to begin on 11 June, Neymar’s participation remains uncertain, leaving fans and analysts wondering if he will feature in the tournament.
Mbappé expressed optimism for his former teammate:
“The World Cup is a competition for the stars. Neymar is one of the biggest in my eyes. I cannot imagine the World Cup without him. Ultimately, though, we must respect Ancelotti’s decisions.”
He added:
“Neymar is a player who makes a real difference. I’ve played with him and learned so much. I know he will prepare and be ready for the World Cup.”
In terms of rankings and historical context:
| Team | FIFA Ranking | World Cup Wins | Recent Notable Achievements |
|---|---|---|---|
| France | 3 | 2 | Beat Brazil in 1986, 1998, 2006 |
| Brazil | 5 | 5 | Consistently top-ranked, World Cup powerhouse |
When asked if France were favourites against Brazil tonight, Mbappé was candid:
“You can never be a favourite against a team with five stars on their jersey. Brazil is the best footballing nation. This match is a chance to test ourselves and prepare for the World Cup this summer.”
Vinícius Júnior has previously stated that there is no such thing as a “friendly” between France and Brazil. Mbappé agreed, saying that the competition on the pitch will be fierce, but camaraderie will return in the dressing room.
Mbappé also reflected on his coaching experiences under Didier Deschamps at France and Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid:
“They are completely different in style and philosophy. As a player, it’s a golden opportunity to learn two very different approaches to winning. Working with Deschamps is a pride, and although my time with Ancelotti was brief, I have immense respect for him as a coach.”
Tonight’s match is not just a friendly; it is a prelude to the tactical and mental challenges that both teams will face in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Mbappé keeping Neymar very much in his thoughts.