The Brazilian forward Neymar said on Thursday that his former Paris Saint-Germain teammate, Kylian Mbappebecame “jealous” of his relationship with Lionel Messi when the Argentine superstar joined the club in 2021.
Speaking on a podcast hosted by former Brazilian striker Romario, Neymar blamed a clash of egos for the three stars’ failure to gel during their spell together at the French club.
Neymar, 32, who left PSG for Saudi club Al-Hilal in 2023, said he initially got along well with Mbappe when the French international joined him at PSG in 2017.
“I had my problems with him, we had a small fight, but he was a child who at the beginning, when he arrived, was fundamental,” Neymar said of Mbappe.
“I always told him, I joked with him, that he was going to be one of the best, I always helped him, I talked to him.
“He came to my house, we went out to dinner together.”
But Neymar said Mbappé’s behavior changed when Messi arrived from Barcelona in 2021. Neymar already had a relationship with Messi since their successful season as teammates at Barcelona between 2013 and 2017.
“We had a few good years together, but then when Messi arrived, I think he got a little jealous,” Neymar said.
“I didn’t want to share myself with anyone and then the fights started, the behavior change,” he added.
Neymar added that a lack of teamwork was behind the failure of PSG’s superstar trio to fully realize their potential.
“You have to realize that you don’t play alone. You have to have others on your side: ‘I’m the best, okay,’ but who is going to give you the ball? You have to have good people to give you the ball “said Neymar.
“It was everyone’s ego… so it couldn’t work. Nowadays, if no one runs, if no one helps each other, it’s impossible to win,” he added.
Meanwhile, Neymar refused to give any hints about his future amid recent speculation that he could seek a return to Brazil or Major League Soccer. Neymar has battled injuries in Saudi Arabia and played only a handful of games in 16 months.
Neymar said that although he remained happy in Saudi Arabia, “in six months, everything can change.”
