brazilian striker Neymar says his former Paris Saint-Germain team-mate Kylian Mbappe The superstar then became “a little jealous” Lionel Messi Joined the French club on a free transfer in August 2021.
The 32-year-old Brazilian, who suffered from injuries during his time at Saudi club Al Hilal, said in a podcast released by World Cup winner Romario on Thursday that egos were affecting PSG’s performance in big matches.
Neymar’s comments came after Romario asked whether Kylian Mbappe, who joined Real Madrid this season, was “annoying”.
“No, he was not. I had my stuff with him and we had a little argument, but when he arrived he was crucial for us. I used to call him the golden boy,” Neymar explain. “I always played with him and said he was going to be one of the best. I always helped him, talked to him, he came to my house and we had dinner together.
“We had some good partnerships, but when Messi came he was a bit jealous. He didn’t want to separate me from anyone. Then there were some arguments and a change in behavior.”
Mbappe joined PSG from Monaco in 2017, the same year Neymar moved from Barcelona to the French club in one of the biggest transfers in football history.
Both were signed as the club sought a first Champions League title but have yet to win it. Neymar said the team often gets bogged down by egos, without naming anyone.
“It’s good to have an ego, but you have to know that you don’t play alone,” Neymar said. “You need to have another person by your side. [Big] Egos are almost everywhere and that doesn’t work. It’s impossible to win anything if no one is running, if no one is helping. “
Neymar has not ruled out a return to Brazil when his contract in Saudi Arabia expires in the middle of this year. ESPN sources also said that three MLS teams, including the Chicago Fire, are interested in signing him to the North American league.
Later on Thursday, his manager at Al Hilal, Jorge Jesus, said Neymar was free to decide for himself about his future after confirming he would not sign up for the second half of the Saudi Professional League season. Part of the reason for joining the team was his injury issues.
“The only thing I know is that Neymar is not registered yet,” Jesus said after Al Hilal beat bottom side Al Fatah 9-0. “I don’t know about the interest from other clubs, it’s beyond my control.
“The Saudi league is one of the best in the world. Neymar can no longer reach the level we are used to because, unfortunately, things have become difficult for him.
“I don’t know what will happen with Neymar’s future. He still has a contract with Al Hilal and what happens next is up to him. Ultimately, it will be a decision for him and the team management. “
Neither Mbappe nor Messi responded to Neymar’s comments.
This report used information from The Associated Press.
