Neymar Reveals Mbappé’s Jealousy, Messi’s Support, and PSG’s Ego Clashes

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — Brazilian football star Neymar opened up about his tumultuous relationships with Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi during his time at Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), as well as his struggles and triumphs at Barcelona, in a candid interview with Brazilian legend Romario.

Neymar, now 32 and playing for Al Hilal in the Saudi Pro League, revealed that Mbappé’s behavior changed after Messi joined PSG in 2021. “After Messi arrived, he (Mbappé) was a little jealous. And then there were some fights, a change of behavior,” Neymar said. Despite the tensions, Neymar emphasized that Mbappé was crucial to the team’s success, calling him “Golden Boy” and praising his talent. “He was fundamental for us when he arrived. I always played with him, I said he was going to be one of the best,” Neymar added.

The Brazilian forward also reflected on his relationship with Messi, whom he described as a mentor during his early days at Barcelona. Neymar recalled a pivotal moment in his career when Messi consoled him during a match against Athletic Bilbao. “I was totally desperate, I went to the break very angry, I started to cry. Then Messi knocks on the door and asks me why I’m crying,” Neymar said. Messi reassured him, saying, “I’m here to help you. Play the football you played at Santos, without pressure.”

Neymar’s move from Barcelona to PSG in 2017 for a record-breaking €222 million transfer fee was driven by personal and financial motivations rather than a desire for individual accolades. “My motivation was not to win individual awards… I didn’t leave Barca with the idea of being the best in the world,” he explained. Messi had urged him to stay, saying, “I’m going to make you the best in the world,” but Neymar chose to take a risk with PSG, where he reunited with Brazilian teammates like Thiago Silva and Marquinhos.

Despite his success at PSG, Neymar acknowledged that the team’s inability to manage the egos of its star players hindered their performance in the UEFA Champions League. “It’s good to have egos, but you have to know that you don’t play alone. There were big egos almost everywhere, it can’t work,” he said. Neymar believes his peak performance came at PSG, but injuries prevented him from achieving his ultimate goal of winning the Ballon d'Or.

Looking ahead, Neymar did not rule out a return to Brazilian football or a move to Major League Soccer (MLS) after his contract with Al Hilal ends. “Every player wants to be Ballon d’Or, but it’s not something that ends my life,” he said, reflecting on his career ambitions.