The world of soccer is no stranger to drama, especially when it involves some of the sport’s biggest stars. Recent Brazilian superstar Neymar illuminate his relationship to Kylian Mbappe during his time at Paris Saint-Germain. His revelations included claims of tension between Mbappe and Lionel Messiespecially after the Argentine joined PSG in 2021. The Brazilian’s candid comments have reignited discussions about the dynamic between the three superstars. In response, Mbappe, now at Real Madrid, offered one a composed and respectful approach to the situation.
Speaking on a podcast hosted by Brazilian legend Romario, Neymar was candid about his relationship with Mbappe. While dismissing the idea that Mbappe was an outright annoyance during their time together at PSG, Neymar admitted he had moments of tension.
“No, he’s not [annoying]. I have my things with him; we argued a bit, but he was crucial for us when he came. I used to call him Golden Boy, noted Neymar. He went on to praise Mbappe’s talent and potential, saying: “I always thought he would be one of the best. I always helped him, and we shared many moments together, including dinners at my house. We had some great years as teammates.”
However, the 32-year-old revealed that things changed after Lionel Messi moved to France in 2021. According to Neymar, Mbappe seemed to struggle to share the limelight. “After Messi joined, I felt a bit of jealousy from him. He didn’t want to share my attention with anyone else, which led to some disagreements and a noticeable change in attitude,“ he stated.
Tensions on and off the pitch
Neymar’s comments highlighted how the trio’s dynamic developed. Both Neymar and Mbappe joined PSG in 2017 from Barcelona and Monaco respectively. While their partnership initially flourished, tensions became more palpable over time. A notable incident occurred during a Ligue 1 clash against Montpellier in 2022 when the duo clashed over penalties. Neymar took the second penalty after Mbappe missed the first, showing the underlying friction between the two stars.
Despite boasting a roster featuring Messi, Neymar and Mbappe, PSG failed to secure the elusive Champions League title, often faltering in critical knockout games. Neymar admitted that the team’s strong personalities played a role in those struggles. “Having egos is beneficial, but football is a team sport. You can’t win alone. You need teammates who are willing to contribute. If no one runs or assists, it becomes almost impossible to achieve victory.” he explained.
How did Mbappe respond to Neymar?
Since Neymar’s comments, Kylian Mbappe has been focused on his career at Real Madrid. The Frenchman addressed the situation during a media interaction, choosing a respectful and forward-looking tone.
“Neymar’s words? I have nothing to say. I am focused on what I am doing here in Madrid. I have a lot of respect for Neymar, he said in an interview. He emphasized his desire to remember the positives from their time togetherindicates, “I want to remember the good things about him, a unique player in the history of football. Good luck to him and his family.”
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