Neymar's star risks being eclipsed by Mbappe

Mbappe then hit a beauty in the World Cup final to become the youngest player to score in the showpiece since Pele in 1958 - earning congratulations from the Brazil icon himself.

Both players have been the subject of strong transfer speculation during the close-season, especially since Real Madrid's shock sale of Cristiano Ronaldo to Juventus in a deal worth €112m.

Madrid moved to deny their interest in Mbappe and Neymar despite the duo being the most obvious transfer targets for the LaLiga giants, who were led to a third consecutive Champions League crown by Zinedine Zidane in May.

Neymar has long been linked with Madrid, dating back to before he left Barcelona, although a switch from Camp Nou to the Santiago Bernabeu would have been politically impossible for both clubs.

For that reason there were then suggestions Neymar's move to PSG was intended as a stopgap switch that would then allow him to join Madrid and take his place as Ronaldo's heir. 

Neymar, for his part, has insisted he is staying at PSG - at least for now - but the rumours will not go away.

Mbappe, however, has emerged as the more exciting prospect. The teenager is nine years younger than Neymar and universally liked around the world for his mature, humble attitude and thrilling style of play: Mbappe clearly loves playing football, whereas Neymar often appears burdened by the massive expectations thrust upon him.

Having moved from Barcelona partly to escape the shadow of Messi, Neymar is now at risk of seeing his star eclipsed by Mbappe, who has all the pieces of the puzzle to develop into the best player on the planet.

Neymar struggled to get on with strike partner Edinson Cavani last term, rowing with the Uruguay international over set-piece duties on a number of occasions during 2017-18.