Neymar Jr. has disclosed tensions between himself and Kylian Mbappé at Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), attributing the discord to Lionel Messi’s arrival in 2021. In a candid interview, Neymar opened up about the complex relationship dynamics that developed after Messi joined the club, shedding light on the personal rift that surfaced between him and Mbappé. Neymar explained that before Messi's arrival, he and Mbappé shared a strong bond, spending time together off the pitch and forming a close partnership as teammates.
However, Neymar noticed a distinct shift in Mbappé's behavior once Messi, a global football icon, became part of the PSG roster. Neymar believes that the French striker began feeling overshadowed by Messi’s presence, which led to feelings of jealousy. He suggested that Mbappé's attitude changed, and the once harmonious relationship between the two players began to deteriorate as a result.
The Brazilian forward also pointed out that one of the main problems at PSG during that time was the clash of egos among the star-studded lineup, which he believes disrupted the team’s unity and performance. Neymar went on to state that the internal conflicts, fueled by the competition for dominance within the squad, played a significant role in PSG's struggles, particularly in their pursuit of success in the UEFA Champions League.
In the interview, Neymar reflected on the impact these tensions had on PSG's overall performance, suggesting that the team's failure to achieve their goals in Europe was partially due to the internal friction. Neymar's revelations came during an interview with Brazilian football legend Romario, which was conducted for the launch of Romario TV. The interview offered an inside look into Neymar’s experiences at PSG and the challenges he faced playing alongside other world-class talents like Messi and Mbappé.
