Neymar hints at Mbappe feud after agreeing PSG exit
Suraj Radia
- 14 Aug 2023 20:09 BST
- 3 min read
The drama at Paris Saint-Germain appears to be never-ending after Neymar ‘liked’ a post on social media hinting at the tension between him and Kylian Mbappe following the turnaround in both their futures.
Mbappe had been told by PSG’s Qatari owners that he would never play for the club again after refusing to take up the option to extend his contract for a further season.
However, the forward returned to the PSG first team following the disappointing 0-0 draw in the Ligue 1 opener against Lorient, having been forced to train alone during pre-season, with speculation that Mbappe could now sign a new contract with the club.
U-TURN: Kylian Mbappe's new deal could still see him join Real Madrid
Neymar, meanwhile, has agreed to a lucrative move to Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal, with PSG set to net a fee just shy of €100m for the 31-year-old, having previously been unable to find a club able to afford his wages.
The Brazilian will end his six-year spell at PSG, having reportedly been the target of Mbappe, who wanted the French side to sell Neymar last summer due to his preference of playing on the left-wing.
Neymar seemingly confirmed the speculation, liking a post indicating that Mbappe only returned to the first team after his teammate’s exit was on the cards.
Neymar's recent like on Instagram hints at the tension between him and Kylian Mbappe at PSG 👀 😮 pic.twitter.com/i5pzFIlGDa
— Football Transfers (@Transfersdotcom) August 14, 2023
PSG finally keeping Mbappe’s promise
Mbappe told PSG of his intention to leave last year despite only signing a contract extension a few months previously, having felt the club broke a number of promises to him when renewing his deal.
One of those promises was thought to be Neymar’s exit but the ex-Barcelona man instead took up the option to extend his contract until 2027.
Mbappe’s desire was for PSG to sign a striker allowing the French captain to play in his preferred left-wing role but he was instead forced to play up front to accommodate Neymar on the flank.
HERE WE GO!: Neymar to Al-Hilal set to be completed
But with Neymar set to depart and the arrival of a true striker in Goncalo Ramos, Mbappe could extend his deal in a dramatic u-turn, however he may also still sign for Real Madrid next summer as doubts over his long-term future rage on.
