Neymar happy for World Cup winner Mbappe

Paris Saint-Germain star Neymar was quick to congratulate Kylian Mbappe on winning the World Cup despite dealing with the heartbreak of his nation’s own exit.

Neymar and Brazil were surprisingly bundled out in the quarter-finals by Belgium, who subsequently lost in the semi-finals to eventual champions France.

Teenage attacker Mbappe played a key part in Les Bleus’ triumph in Russia, netting in their 4-2 win over Croatia in the final to finish the tournament with four goals and the Fifa Young Player award.

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The 19-year-old, whom Real Madrid have denied they are targeting, returns to PSG as one of the hottest properties in world football, and Neymar insists he is delighted for his club teammate.

‘I congratulated him, of course,’ Neymar told reporters.

‘We talked during the World Cup, always, and we tried to meet in the semi-finals but unfortunately, it wasn’t possible.

‘But I was happy for him. He’s a boy that I have special affection for, he’s a boy that I try to pass on my experience [to], even at my young age, to help him become better and better.’

Speaking at his five-a-side tournament in Sao Paulo, Neymar also responded to the critics that questioned his silence in the immediate aftermath of the World Cup.

The 26-year-old, who faced accusations of underperformance and play-acting, initially avoided commenting on Brazil’s shock failure.

‘I’m criticised for everything, for what I say, for what I don’t say, I’m used to it. I’ve been through this a lot,’ he said.

‘But I talked after a few days because I was soothing my pain. I was sad, I had to take my time to be more calm. It was a very difficult time.

‘And when I said something it was how I always talked [via Instagram]. It’s where I feel comfortable, where I try to express my words, and bring the public closer to me. I’m cool about this.’