Brazilian soccer star Neymar Jr. has expressed candid opinions about his former teammate, Kylian Mbappe. The two played alongside each other from 2017 until Neymar’s departure from PSG to join Al Hilal in 2023.
During a recent episode of a podcast hosted by former World Cup champion Romário, Neymar reflected on his relationship with Mbappe. When Romário remarked that the French player can be “annoying,” Neymar responded, “No, he is not. I have my things with him, we had a little fight, but he was fundamental for us when he arrived. I used to call him golden boy. I always played with him, said he was going to be one of the best. I always helped, talked to him, he came to my place, we had dinner together.”
However, Neymar did not shy away from making pointed remarks, suggesting that Mbappe felt a sense of jealousy after Lionel Messi’s arrival at PSG. “We had some good years of partnership, but after Messi came he was a little jealous,” Neymar stated. “He didn’t want to split me with anyone. And then there were some fights, a change in behavior.”
The dynamics between Neymar and Mbappe had often been a topic of speculation throughout their tenure in France. Neymar also addressed the issue of ego clashes within the team’s locker room, stating, “It is good to have egos. But you have to know that you don’t play alone. There needs to be another guy by your side. (Big) egos were almost everywhere, it can’t work. If nobody runs and nobody helps, it is impossible to win anything.”
Ultimately, both players took different paths. Neymar chose to join Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal in 2023, while Mbappe made a switch to Real Madrid in the summer of 2024. Since his transfer, Neymar has struggled to leave an impact at his new club, frequently sidelined due to injuries. In contrast, Mbappe has rapidly become a key player for Real Madrid, netting 17 goals in 28 matches.
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