Mbappe unhappy over broken promises after snubbing Real Madrid transfer
FT Desk
- 17 Aug 2022 15:01 BST
- 3 min read
The relationship between Kylian Mbappe and Neymar and Neymar has soured at PSG - not a situation the former expected when shunning Real Madrid to re-sign for Paris.
Mbappe was given a bumper new deal by Paris Saint-Germain in May, fending off long-standing interest in the French World Cup winner from Real Madrid.
The French champions reportedly agreed to pay Mbappe €250 million over three years, whilst also giving him a say in how the club is run.
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The appointment of Luis Campos, whom Mbappe knew from their time at Monaco, as Leonardo's replacement as sporting director in June, seemed to confirm the player's influence.
But while Mbappe's contract lifted him above Lionel Messi and Neymar as the club's highest earner, his influence has begun to wane this season, not least because of Neymar's performances.
Neymar turnaround
Neymar was publicly targeted by club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi earlier in the summer, but the Brazilian's contract has rolled over into 2027 and since the season started he has been in electric form.
The winger has plundered five goals and three assists from just three competitive games, and his performances in training have won more than just former Barcelona teammate Messi to his cause.
The schism was plain to see in last Saturday's 5-2 win over Montpellier. Mbappe and Neymar clashed over Mbappe's missed penalty with the score at 0-0 and Neymar scored the first of his two goals with the next spot kick.
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At the end of the half, Mabppe then gave up on a counter-attack when Vitinha elected to pass right to Achraf Hakimi instead of left to him.
"It's a bit normal for him to be disappointed at being a little short physically compared to his teammates," said coach Christophe Galtier after the match, but it is clear that trouble is brewing.
Neymar has regained influence organically, and Mbappe doesn't like it.
