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Neymar says ex-teammate Kylian Mbappe ‘jealous’ over Lionel Messi during trio’s PSG spell

Brazilian striker blames clash of egos for the failure of the three superstars to gel when they played together at the French club

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From left, Paris Saint-Germain superstars Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi and Neymar winning the Riyadh Season Cup in Saudi Arabia in January 2023. Photo: AFP

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.

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Speaking on a podcast hosted by former Brazil striker Romario, Neymar blamed a clash of egos for the failure of the three stars to gel during their spell together at the French club.

The 32-year-old 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.

Neymar (left) and Kylian Mbappe playing against Bayern Munich in 2017 – before Messi joined PSG. Photo: EPA-EFE
Neymar (left) and Kylian Mbappe playing against Bayern Munich in 2017 – before Messi joined PSG. Photo: EPA-EFE

“He came to my house, we went out to dinner together.”

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