Kylian Mbappé eclipses Neymar as football’s premier star

Kylian Mbappé, now 27, has become the dominant figure at Paris Saint‑Germain after Neymar's departure. He helped France win the 2018 World Cup, continues to chase the record for most World Cup goals, and is viewed as building a personal dynasty within the club, outshining even Lionel Messi during his stint at PSG.

Neymar, 34, remains Brazil’s all‑time top scorer with 80 goals but has secured only two major trophies with the national side – the 2013 Confederations Cup and the 2016 Olympic gold medal. After a brief spell at Al‑Hilal, he returned to Brazil and is expected to play a limited role in the 2026 World Cup, marking the final tournament of his career. The two forwards are frequently compared on style, achievements and future legacy, with analysts noting Mbappé’s consistent high‑level performance versus Neymar’s injury‑affected later years.