‘Neymar & Mbappe are made to play together’

The France international defender believes a former team-mate and fellow World Cup winner will deliver considerable success at Parc des Princes

Neymar and Kylian Mbappe are “made to play together”, says Samuel Umtiti, with the Barcelona defender expecting Paris Saint-Germain to prosper with two global superstars working in tandem.

The reigning Ligue 1 champions are up and running again for 2018-19, with their leading lights illuminating early fixtures under new boss Thomas Tuchel.

Umtiti expects further success to be delivered in the French capital, with PSG boasting an enviable array of attacking talent.

The World Cup-winning defender knows all about two of those fearsome frontmen , with Neymar’s talents having been witnessed up close at Camp Nou while Mbappe is an international team-mate.

The Barca centre-half told Canal+ of a star-studded side at Parc des Princes: "Neymar was a very good team-mate to have when he was at Barcelona.

"He's somebody who is always full of joy, who is always happy and who is always playing pranks and making jokes.

"We know all about Neymar's qualities. He can unlock any match. He is [playing] at an exceptional level.

"Neymar together with Kylian Mbappe ... players of their talent are made to play together. There is no reason why it should not work."

Brazil international Neymar has been back in familiar surroundings on Monday, with a visit paid to Barcelona’s training base to catch up with old friends.

His focus has turned back to domestic matters following a summer away with his country, with many of those in Catalunya doing likewise.

Umtiti falls into that category, with the 24-year-old still coming to terms with the fact that he is now a world champion.

"I think about the World Cup title every single day," he said.

"When I pick up my phone, I see it as it is my wallpaper. It is true that I think about it all the time, even when I speak with my family or team-mates who shared these moments with me.

"We had a wonderful squad. Honestly, I could have spent two more months with them. It was fun, but at the same time, also serious. It is all well and good to have won the World Cup but there were other things behind it too. You have to stay focused and not try to be somebody else."

While reflecting on the recent past, Umtiti has also been looking to the future and revealed that he intends to go into management once the time comes to hang up his boots.

He added: "I would like to go into coaching.

"I think that it is a job that I will be able to enjoy after my footballing career."