Many observers and pundits have argued that Kylian Mbappé has already surpassed Neymar, but with all due respect to Mbappé’s phenomenal talent and speed, Neymar is still the far superior player. Here’s why:
First Touch: Neymar vs. Mbappé
Neymar’s first touch is second to none, and only Lionel Messi has a comparable first touch. The Brazilian’s first touch is essentially on par with Ronaldinho’s, and Ronaldinho had the best touch of any player ever. As good as Mbappé is, he doesn’t have the same velvet-soft first touch of Neymar.
Dribbling: Neymar vs. Mbappé
You could argue that Messi is the world’s best dribbler because he easily ghosts through crowds of players, but Neymar certainly has way more tricks in his trick bag. The reality is that Messi never displays the tricks that Neymar uses to blow past defenders. The Argentine uses small changes of direction and speed to beat defenders, and Mbappé doesn’t have the repertoire of tricks that Neymar executes effortlessly. Neymar’s tricks aren’t just flashy with no result; he uses his tricks to blow past defenders and charge the penalty area. Neymar leaves defenders for dead, which is why he is so savagely hacked by defenders who can’t keep up with him.
Passing: Neymar vs. Mbappé
Mbappé can certainly deliver a good pass, but Neymar utilizes both feet interchangeably to deploy short passes, long passes, chips in the air, final balls through the defense, and service off corner kicks and dead balls. Neymar is arguably the best passer in all of European football, and he showcased this with Barcelona when he led Europe in assists one year when Messi was injured. When the PSG Number 10 plays with Brazil, the entire passing goes through Neymar where he receives the ball and releases it and it’s immediately played back to him again as he leads his team toward goal. For all the talk of Neymar being a selfish player, there isn’t much proof of that in his passing statistics for PSG or Brazil.
Shooting: Neymar vs. Mbappé
Mbappé’s shooting is nowhere close to that of Neymar. The Brazilian is just a much better striker of the ball than the Frenchman, and he’s also more accurate and ruthless in his finishing. Mbappé hasn’t really shown an ability to take free kicks well yet, but maybe he simply is down the pecking order on both of his teams. Nevertheless, based on their play with PSG, one would have to say that Neymar is a much more dangerous striker of the ball with both feet. You wouldn’t be wrong in saying that any kind of goal that the Brazilian can score with his right foot he can also score with his left.
Conclusion: Neymar vs. Mbappé
Mbappé is a true prodigy, and he’s a joy to watch with speed that’s God given. But that doesn’t make him better than Neymar. Being the best Brazilian player since Ronaldinho is really saying something, and Neymar is on track to eclipse Pelé’s goal-scoring record for Brazil. Don’t forget that Neymar is also lightning fast, and no defender can really catch him except maybe Rafael Varane, who could have been an Olympic sprinter.
Neymar has some qualities that seem to annoy some people, but calling Mbappé better is disrespectful and just not accurate.