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Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe downplayed the “supposed rivalry” that exists between him and teammate Neymar at Parc des Princes.
The 21-year-old said so France Football (h / t Get French Football News) that when he arrived at PSG from Monaco he told the Brazilian that he was there to help him and not to provide competition.
“When I arrived in Paris, there was no debate. It was he (Neymar) who was the superstar, who I had come to shoulder, help. He got injured, he didn’t have a successful World Cup and I had it and at that point, stories began to emerge about an alleged rivalry between us, about my apparent desire to take his place.
“I was shocked to hear all this. When I returned to Camp des Loges in August 2018, the first thing I did was meet” Ney “to tell him:” Maybe you haven’t had a successful World Cup … which is it was a good thing for us (France). But, here, don’t worry, I won’t step on your fingers. “I will play” for France’s Golden Ball this year because you are not in the running for this, but I assure you that I don’t want your place, you can keep it. I’m always here to help you. “
The duo joined PSG in the summer of 2017 and continued to enjoy a prolific offensive collaboration with Uruguayan Edinson Cavani:
OptaJean @OptaJean
38 – Paris scored 38 games in Ligue 1 in 2019, the highest count in a calendar year in history. Party. https://t.co/30pFV7pj6z
Mbappe and Neymar seem to have a particularly strong relationship both on and off the pitch and have fired the club with two Ligue 1 titles, the Coupe de France and the Coupe de la Ligue.
The UEFA Champions League is the club’s top priority and although that trophy has so far eluded both players during their time in France, they have proven their class in the top European competition:
OptaJoe @OptaJoe
11 – Neymar and Kylian Mbappe have created 11 Champions League scoring chances this season; most of any combination in the competition. Dynamic. https://t.co/KQB31JoF7V
Neymar arrived at PSG from Barcelona as one of the biggest stars in world football, but was often subverted by his younger teammate in the French capital.
Mbappe finished second behind Lionel Messi in the race for the 2019 European golden shoe and was ranked sixth in the 2019 Ballon d’Or:
France Football @FranceFootball
Ranked in 6th place of the #ballondor 2019 ⤵️ @KMbappe ???????? @PSG_inside Live ranking> https://t.co/cSurv8xUiL https://t.co/PK46lTmWAj
Neymar was the highest profile omission of the 30-man squad for the Golden Ball, which is the first time since 2010 that he has been missing.
The Brazilian international has scored 23 goals in 28 games last season, but an injury has seen him miss the PSG Champions League exit at the hands of Manchester United and the Selecao Copa America campaign.
Neymar has spoken France Football (h / t Matt Dorman of Goal) on Mbappe in early December and described how close the two players got.
“My relationship with Kylian is very good,” he said. “We are good friends and we help each other to win games, to score goals. I feel that there is something special. There is no competition between us.”
Both players have had injured spells this season, but have still come up with PSG products:
Bleacher report @Bleacher Report
Mbappe’s last 7 matches: 9 goals, 3 assists. Neymar’s last 5 matches: 5 goals, 6 assists. Strong 2019 end ???? https://t.co/x9bOS2q89E
PSG manager Thomas Tuchel told reporters after Saturday’s 4-1 victory over Amiens that the couple is doing well together because: “Neymar motivates Mbappe and Mbappe motivates Neymar, okay.”
Mbappe and Neymar helped launch PSG to the top of the Ligue 1 table, seven points clear of Marseille over the Christmas break. The club is also in the final 16 of the Champions League and will play Borussia Dortmund for a place in the quarterfinals.
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