‘Change in behaviour’ – Neymar says Kylian Mbappe’s fights stemmed from Lionel Messi’s jealousy

Neymar has revealed that his former team-mate Kylian Mbappe was “jealous” after Lionel Messi arrived at Paris Saint-Germain in August 2021.

During a podcast hosted by fellow Brazilian and World Cup winner Romario, the Al Hilal player confirmed that the big egos were to PSG’s detriment.

2

During Neymar’s six years in France, he won five league titles but failed to win the club’s first Champions League.

It was considered a failure given the record amount of transfer investment.

Mbappe swapped PSG for Real Madrid Last summer, after a long saga that led to the striker leaving on a free transfer.

Asked by Romario if Mbappe’s arrival at Real Madrid was annoying, the 32-year-old replied: “No, not annoying. I have my own things with him, we had a bit of a fight, but he was principled to us when he arrived.

“I called him the golden boy. I always played with him and said he would be one of the best. I always helped, talked with him, he came to my place, we had dinner together.

“We had a good partnership for a few years, but after Messi arrived he was a bit jealous. He did not want to separate me from anyone. And then there were some fights, a change in behavior.”

The one-time French star moved from Monaco to PSG for £165m in 2017 alongside Neymar’s £200m move. Barcelonathe two were tasked with winning the club’s first Champions League.

They came close in 2020 but lost 1-0 Bayern Munich in the final thanks to a goal from former PSG player Kingsley Coman.

A year later, with the hierarchy even more desperate to reach the European crown, they signed Messi on a free transfer from Barcelona.

Sergio Ramos, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Georginio Wijnaldum and Achraf Hakimi also arrived in the summer transfer window.

2

Neymar told his compatriot that Mauricio Pochettino’s side often struggle to balance egos.

“It’s good to have an ego, but you have to know that you’re not playing alone,” Neymar said. “There should be another guy next to you. The (big) ego was almost everywhere, it can’t work. If no one runs and no one helps, it is impossible to win anything.”

The fans were quick to anger as the team often showed selfish tendencies, failed to pass at the right moment and lacked passion in defence.

In May 2023, 400 angry fans gathered outside the club and demanded Messi’s resignation and resignation.

Then 100 people gathered outside the home of Neymar, who was injured, chanting “Neymar, go away”.

The Ultras issued a statement criticizing the club’s management and asking: “Is there still a pilot flying the plane?”

They said that the Parasite players lacked ambition and came to Paris only to receive a huge salary.

Even though the team is much different now, the fans are still unhappy and will remain so until they win the Champions League trophy.

PSG are currently at risk of relegation from the competition as Luis Enrique’s side sit 25th in the league’s new format, one place outside the play-off stage.