Kylian Mbappé names Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar as dream World Cup opponents

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Kylian Mbappé has named Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar as the two players he dreams of facing at the 2026 World Cup.

The France forward made the comments before the tournament, placing two of football’s biggest names at the centre of one of the early personal storylines around the competition.

Mbappé has shared a pitch with Neymar at club level and has long been linked with Ronaldo as one of the players he admired growing up.

Now, with Portugal and Brazil both naming their squads for the World Cup, the possibility of either meeting has taken on added significance.

What Kylian Mbappé said about Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar

Mbappé named Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar when asked about the players he would most like to face at the World Cup.

He said: “I dream of facing Cristiano and Neymar at the World Cup.”

Mbappé then added: “It will be their LAST World Cup.”

That second line should be read as Mbappé’s own view of the moment rather than confirmation that either player has made a final decision on his international future.

Even so, the comment carries weight because of the players involved. Ronaldo remains one of the defining figures of modern football, while Neymar was a major part of Mbappé’s career during their time together at Paris Saint-Germain.

For Mbappé, those matches would not simply be games against major opponents. They would be meetings with two players who have occupied very different places in his own football story.

Why those possible World Cup meetings matter

Ronaldo has already been named in Portugal’s squad by Roberto Martinez, with FIFA stating that he is heading to a sixth World Cup at the age of 41.

FIFA also credits Ronaldo with 226 Portugal caps and 143 international goals, both national records.

Neymar is also part of the tournament picture after Carlo Ancelotti named him in Brazil’s squad for the 2026 World Cup.

That gives Mbappé’s comments immediate relevance. These are not distant or unlikely names being discussed in the abstract. Ronaldo and Neymar are both in the competition conversation now.

There is no guarantee that France will meet Portugal or Brazil. The fixtures and tournament path will decide that.

But Mbappé has already made clear which possible matches would mean most to him. If France do come up against either Ronaldo’s Portugal or Neymar’s Brazil, his comments will follow the build-up all the way to kick-off.