Neymar Reveals Mbappe Jealous Of His Relationship With Messi During PSG Spell

Brazilian striker, Neymar, said on Thursday that former Paris Saint-Germain teammate, Kylian Mbappe became “jealous” of his relationship with Lionel Messi when the Argentine superstar joined the club in 2021.

In a podcast hosted by former Brazil striker Romario, Neymar attributed the failure of the three stars to connect during their time at the French club to a clash of egos.

Neymar, who left PSG for Saudi club Al-Hilal in 2023, said he initially got on well with Mbappe when the France international joined him at PSG in 2017.

“I had my issues with him; we had a little fight, but he was a boy 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.”

Neymar mentioned that Mbappe’s behavior shifted when Messi joined from Barcelona in 2021.

Before that, Neymar had an established relationship with Messi from their successful time as teammates at Barcelona between 2013 and 2017.

“We spent some good years together, but then, when Messi arrived, I think he got a little jealous,” Neymar said.

“He didn’t want to share me with anyone, and then the fights began, the change of behavior,” he added.

Neymar added that a lack of teamwork lay 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 the others on your side: ‘I’m the best, OK’, but who’s going to give you the ball? You have to have good people who give you the ball,” Neymar said.

“It was everyone’s ego…so it couldn’t work. Nowadays, if nobody runs, if nobody helps each other, it’s impossible to win,” he added.

In the meantime, Neymar refrained from providing any hints regarding his future amid recent speculation about a potential move back to Brazil or Major League Soccer.

He has faced challenges with injuries in Saudi Arabia, making only a few appearances over the past 16 months.

Neymar said although he remained happy in Saudi Arabia, “In six months, everything can change.”