Neymar has claimed that Kylian Mbappe became jealous of Lionel Messi after the Argentine joined Paris Saint-Germain in 2021. The Brazilian made the revelation while discussing his former PSG teammate during a podcast hosted by legendary striker Romario.
Neymar said he and Mbappe enjoyed a strong relationship during their time together in Paris, with the Brazilian even describing the Frenchman as a future star. However, he believes Messi’s arrival changed their dynamic and eventually contributed to tensions between them.
Softfootball reports that Neymar also pointed to the influence of big egos when explaining why PSG struggled to perform consistently in major matches. Neymar said:
We had some good years of partnership, but after Messi came he was a little jealous. He didn’t want to split me with anyone. And then there were some fights, a change in behavior.
The former Barcelona and PSG star also explained the importance of teamwork when discussing the effect of egos in football.
It is good to have egos, but you have to know that you don’t play alone,
he said.
There needs to be another guy by your side.
Neymar and Mbappe both joined PSG in 2017, before Messi arrived at the French club four years later.
