Kylian Mbappe has addressed the feud between him and Paris Saint-Germain team-mate Neymar.
The strikers clashed in August’s win over Montpellier when Neymar prevented Mbappe, who had watched a penalty earlier, from taking another, ignoring orders from his penalty taker’s orders. appointed by Christophe Galtier.
Sergio Ramos is said to have had to separate the two feuding stars in the dressing room after the game and Neymar’s fondness for social media posts mocking Mbappe’s missed penalty only fueled speculation about the situation. instability.
However, speaking ahead of PSG’s Champions League Group H clash with Juventus, Mbappe revealed that despite the ups and downs in his relationship with Neymar, there is utmost respect for the Brazilian. .
“To talk about Neymar, this is the sixth year, I think we have always had a relationship like this based on respect,” Mbappe told reporters.
“But we always have moments like this, where sometimes we have moments that are a bit colder and moments that are a bit hotter.
“There are times, you’ll see, when we’re best friends and sometimes we don’t talk that much, that’s the nature of our relationship.
“But there’s a lot of respect, I have a lot of respect for the player he is, the player he represents and the importance he is on our team.
“Later, when you have two players with such strong personalities, life is not linear, sure sometimes things happen but it’s always in the respect and interest of PSG. “
Asked who will take the penalty when PSG win over Juventus, Mbappe added: “We will see, we will see, there is always a discussion, we have to see how it goes. in the match.
“I think we both don’t close the door [to discuss it]. If the game makes Neymar shoot, it will be Neymar shoots, if the game causes me to shoot, I will shoot, no problem with that.
“Number one doesn’t mean you have to take all the penalties. I don’t think that exists at any club, even less when you play with three such players.
“You have to know how to share the cake and feel, it’s a question of feeling, and also know how to pour water into your wine. We’ll see each other tomorrow but no problem with that. “
Mbappe entices Pogba brothers to spit
Mbappe has been dragged into another ongoing drama aimed at French football, after Mathias Pogba claimed his brother Paul had placed a curse on the PSG striker.
Pogba is being embroiled in a public meeting, with Mathias promising to reveal “explosive” information about his brother and other players, and Paul claiming to be the victim of blackmail at his hands of his brother.
Asked if the incident involving the Pogba brothers had damaged his relationship with Paul in the France team, Mbappe said: “No, because I believe that today I prefer to take your word for it. more of a teammate.
“He called me and gave me his version of the truth. Today, when I speak, it is his word against his brother, so I will trust my teammates. .
“I think for the sake of selection too, I think we have a great competition. Right now I think he’s having some problems, I don’t think it’s time to add more problems. his subject and we’ll see how it goes. come on, I’m pretty separate from all that.”
Pogba doubts World Cup after knee surgery
Paul Pogba may be absent from France’s World Cup defense duty after knee surgery
Juventus and France midfielder Paul Pogba is a big doubt for the World Cup in Qatar as he requires surgery on a knee injury.
The 29-year-old is yet to join the campaign after picking up a pre-season injury and the club have decided he needs surgery to correct the problem.
“This morning, Pogba trained for the second time, but then stopped, and then it was decided that he would undergo surgery,” Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri said on Monday.
“The fact is that we will bring him back in January. The World Cup is not my problem, Juventus’ problem is that he will be back in January.”
Pogba returned to Juventus from Manchester United on a free transfer this summer, but injury kept him out of action during his second stint with the Bianconeri.
France’s first match at the World Cup is against Australia on November 22.
