The Brazilian talisman is entering his most vital World Cup, but it will be Kylian Mbappé who will snatch the headlines starting in a week’s time.
Brazil and France are both huge favorites to advance far into the tournament and even to lift the cup at the end of it all, and both bolster two of PSG’s superstars. Neymar has been rediscovering his form after coming back from an injury while Mbappé has youthful eagerness on his side.
Although in the friendlies leading up to the commencement of the congregation in Russia, Neymar and his Brazilian side have made quick work of their opposition and shown that they will be a force to be reckoned with, there are still doubts concerning the South American side.
For example, Neymar is at his most impactful for the side when the ball is at his feet and he is creating chances for his teammates and himself.
But with this squad that Tite has assembled, there are many other creators that can advance the ball from the midfield and find open space.
The No. 10 will most likely be playing off the left flank in an attacking front 3 and cutting inside to either lay the ball off and go for a quick return and cross, or to hedge his bets and try to catch the opposition keepers out of position and go for goal.
Their group stage matches shouldn’t challenge the former Barcelona man too much, but tougher opponents may look to deny him that precious time on the ball.
The narrative is different, however, for Kylian Mbappé and his French supporting cast.
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Deschamps will likely play him in a position similarly to Neymar, off to the left flank, but there is also the option of dropping him at the head of the attack and using his pace to get in behind the defense looking for through balls from his midfield maestros backing him up.
Mbappé, unlike Neymar, finds more joy when the ball isn’t necessarily at his feet every second of a developing attack.
The pressure is not too much on the 19-year-old wunderkind’s shoulders, as he can rely on the likes of Pogba, Matuidi, and others to spot his runs off the ball.
Gauging simply from a couple of the friendlies leading up to the show next week, Mbappé still has that joyful naivete about himself and loves a cheeky flick when he can afford it.
His movement off the ball is also what sets him apart from every other young superstar in the world.
For example, in France’s last game against the USA, Mbappé made many positive movements while linking up with Pogba and Giroud and made some very smart plays off the ball.
One led to Pogba being able to smack a shot against the post, and another led to him finding half a yard of space in the box to score the goal that would secure the 1-1 tie.
Both nations should have absolutely no trouble advancing beyond the group stages of the tournament, but it will be in the following rounds that the brilliance of both players will need to be on full display for their nations to have any chance of being called world champions.
PSG have two shining diamonds representing the football from the French capital, but suggestions point to Mbappé, whose upside reaches the stars, as being in the best position to impress the world and give France the chance at becoming world champions again, two decades removed.
Who do you think will have the best tournament – Neymar or Mbappé?