Paris Saint-Germain

Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe: 'Neymar is a team player'

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 27 December 2017

Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe rejects suggestions that Neymar is 'not a team player', claiming that his teammate is on the same level as Cristiano Ronaldo.

Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe has claimed that Neymar's primary objective is to help his teammates, rather than play for himself.

During the summer, Neymar became the world's most expensive player after leaving Barcelona for the Parc des Princes but while impressing in France, the Brazilian international's mentality has sometimes been questioned.

However, the attacker has contributed 12 assists in all competitions this season, and Mbappe has suggested that the 25-year-old's ability and mindset is on the same level as Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo.

The 19-year-old told Marca: "Neymar is here and I think he is very similar and is at practically the same level as Cristiano Ronaldo.

"People on the outside see a Neymar on the pitch, but that's not him. People see him doing tricks and dribbles and think that he is only trying to enjoy himself, that he's selfish and only thinks about himself.

"But when you share a dressing room with him you realise that it's not the case. It's true that he's a very kind person, that he is interested in others. He's very nice, and he plays for the team first."

Neymar has scored 17 goals in 20 appearances since moving to the Ligue 1 side.