France striker Kylian Mbappe said he can’t imagine the upcoming FIFA World Cup without a big star like Neymar. The Brazilian striker is in a race against time to get fit for the forthcoming quadrennial event. Neymar was recently left out of the Brazil squad for the International friendlies in March.

Brazil is all set to face France and Croatia in the ongoing month, but Neymar found no place in the team.

Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti said the Santos forward is not 100% fit after announcing his latest squad. The former PSG and Barcelona striker has not played for Brazil since sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury while on international duty. 

Neymar then had a minor surgery on his left knee on December 22, 2023.

“The World Cup is a competition of stars,” Mbappé said ahead of tonight’s World Cup warmup game against Brazil.

“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.”

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 backing 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.”

Asked about the ongoing debate on Neymar’s 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.”

Brazil takes on France on March 26 in Boston and faces Croatia on March 31 in Orlando.