Neymar, the renowned striker, revealed that Kylian Mbappé experienced “a little jealousy” following the arrival of Lionel Messi at Paris Saint-Germain in August 2021, marking a significant moment in the club’s history as Messi joined on a free transfer.
In a recent podcast hosted by World Cup champion Romário, Neymar, who currently plays for Saudi club Al-Hilal, discussed how the presence of big egos influenced PSG’s performance during crucial matches.
Neymar’s insights came after Romário inquired whether Mbappé, who transferred to Real Madrid this season, was “annoying.”
“No, he is not. I have my issues with him, and we had a little fight, but he was essential for us when he arrived. I used to call him ‘golden boy.’ I always believed he would become one of the best. We shared many moments, including dinners at my home,” Neymar shared.
“Our partnership was fruitful, yet after Messi joined, I noticed a shift. He seemed reluctant to share my attention, leading to some disagreements and changes in his behavior,” the Brazilian forward elaborated.
Mbappé made his move to PSG from Monaco in 2017, coinciding with Neymar’s high-profile transfer from Barcelona, which was one of the largest in soccer history.
Both players were brought in as PSG aimed for their first UEFA Champions League title, a goal that remains unachieved. Neymar acknowledged that the team often faced challenges due to the presence of strong personalities but refrained from naming specific individuals.
“Having egos can be beneficial, but players must recognize that soccer is a team sport. There needs to be cooperation. Big egos can create friction, and if no one puts in the effort or supports one another, winning becomes impossible,” Neymar remarked.
Neymar also hinted at the possibility of returning to Brazil once his contract in Saudi Arabia concludes mid-year.
As of now, neither Mbappé nor Messi has publicly responded to Neymar’s statements.
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