Neymar Jr revealed surprising details about his relationship with Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi during their time at PSG.
New Delhi: Neymar Jr of Brazil made public his bond with former teammate Kylian Mbappe of Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), which revealed the complexities in their bond especially after Lionel Messi joined in 2021. Neymar reflects on the relationship, which is shared in a podcast hosted by Brazilian legend Romario, discussing the ups and downs of the partnership, Messi’s influence, and the challenge they faced as a trio.
The football world witnessed a huge change with the arrival of Neymar and Mbappe to PSG in summer 2017. Neymar arrived from Barcelona, and he had guided a young teenager, who had just recently established himself at Monaco, Mbappe. The chemistry between them was evident when Neymar described Mbappe as the ‘golden boy’ and also said that he was sure that the player was going to shine. “I always played with him, said he was going to be one of the best,” Neymar recalled, emphasizing the mentorship he provided during their formative years together.
Their partnership blossomed into a formidable attacking force, leading PSG to the Champions League final in 2020. Despite their success on the pitch, the duo faced mounting pressure due to the club’s inability to secure the coveted Champions League trophy. Neymar acknowledged the shared victories but hinted at tensions beneath the surface, especially after Messi joined the team. “We had some good years of partnership, but after Messi came he was a little jealous,” he said, explaining the dynamics that changed with the arrival of another superstar.
When Messi joined PSG in 2021, many people expected a lot, but alongside those high expectations came jealousy and competition among the players. Neymar recalls humorously that “He didn’t want to split me with anyone” regarding the difficulties in trying to live up to individual egos within the team. The team, even though they were so talented, could not orchestrate harmony on the pitch, and its disastrous season early into the Champions League and eventually lost the league title to Lille.
Neymar’s thoughts on team dynamics reveal the complexities of managing egos in a high-stakes environment. He commented, “It is good to have egos, but you have to know that you don’t play alone.” This statement emphasizes teamwork and collaboration, indicating that individual brilliance cannot overshadow the need for collective effort. Neymar’s experiences point out the difficulties of maintaining unity among top-tier athletes, especially when personal ambitions collide.
Amisde the woes of PSG, Mbappe’s desire to leave for Real Madrid was the major criticism. The development of the player into one of the best in the world was always conflicting with the well-established legacies of Neymar and Messi. As the three players broke apart, with the former two heading to Al-Hilal and Inter Miami, respectively, in 2023, Mbappe’s future is uncertain. His eventual free transfer to Real Madrid in 2024 marked a new chapter for both the player and PSG.
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