Kylian Mbappe has finally addressed rumours surrounding an alleged ‘feud’ between himself and fellow PSG star Neymar.
The pair have clashed in the past, with a recent incident causing an angry exchange. During PSG’s win over Montpellier, Neymar defied the agreed penalty order by taking and scoring his side’s second spot-kick. Mbappe had missed PSG’s first penalty of said game just minutes before.
As a result, an enraged Mbappe cut a frustrated figure throughout the rest of the Ligue 1 match. Then, in the dressing room post-match, teammate Sergio Ramos had to separate a clash between Neymar and Mbappe.
The Brazil star did little to ease tensions following this, too. Neymar liked some fans’ tweets that criticised his teammate for being on pens.
As a result, Marca suggested that Les Parisiens attempted to sell Neymar in order to appease Kylian Mbappe. The Spanish outlet claimed that PSG offered the winger to Man City. However, the Premier League champions turned down the star.
Kylian Mbappe has since spoken on his relationship whilst playing alongside PSG’s No.10.
Mbappe discusses Neymar relationship
Speaking ahead of PSG’s Champions League opener against Juventus, Mbappe played down talk of a rift with his teammate. After playing together for a number of years, Mbappe believes that their rapport is built on mutual respect.
“This is the sixth year with Neymar,” said Mbappe, via The Mirror. “We have always had a relationship like this, based on respect, with warmer and colder moments. It is the nature of our relationship. But I have a lot of respect for the player that he is and the importance he has in our team.
“When you have two players with such a strong character, you have moments like that. But it always stays within the respect and in the interest of PSG.”
When asked who will take a penalty against Juve if PSG win one, Mbappe stayed diplomatic.
“We’ll see, we’ll see, there’s always a discussion,” said the France star, via Sky Sports. “We have to see how it goes during the match.
“I think we’re not both closed to discussion. If the match makes it Neymar who shoots it, it will be Neymar. But if the match makes it me who shoots, it will be me who shoots – there’s no problem with that.
“You have to know how to share the cake and feel, it’s a question of feeling, and also know how to put water in your wine. We’ll see tomorrow, but there’s no problem with that.”
Despite their apparent disagreements, the duo has had a devastating start to 2022/23.
PSG in 2022/23
New PSG boss Christophe Galtier has had his team firing on all cylinders at this early stage of the season. Neymar has stolen headlines as Ligue 1’s top scorer thus far, with seven goals and six assists.
Mbappe matches Neymar on seven goals, too, but has not yet registered an assist. Elsewhere, Lionel Messi has grabbed three goals and six assists. This puts him joint top of that list with his Brazilian teammate.
Thanks to the front three’s irresistible form, PSG are top of Ligue 1. They will hope that this form carries over into Europe, where they face a tough first test at Juventus.
Featured Image Credit: Getty
