Brazilian attacker Neymar revealed Thursday that former Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) teammate Kylian Mbappe became “jealous” of his bond with Lionel Messi when the Argentine joined the French club in 2021.
Speaking on a podcast hosted by former Brazil striker Romario, Neymar attributed the failure of PSG’s star trio—himself, Messi, and Mbappe—to a clash of egos during their time together at the club.
Neymar, now 32 and playing for Saudi club Al-Hilal after leaving PSG in 2023, reflected on his initial good relationship with Mbappe when the French forward joined 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.”
However, Neymar said things changed after Messi’s arrival from Barcelona in 2021. Neymar and Messi shared a successful stint at Barcelona from 2013 to 2017, a relationship that Mbappe reportedly resented.
“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.”
Neymar also blamed the trio’s failure to reach their full potential on a lack of teamwork.
“You have to realise 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 explained.
Regarding his future, Neymar avoided giving clear answers amid rumors of a return to Brazil or a move to Major League Soccer. He has struggled with injuries in Saudi Arabia, playing only a handful of games over 16 months.
“I’m happy in Saudi Arabia,” Neymar said, “but in six months, everything can change.”
