The penalty debate between PSG forwards Kylian Mbappe and Neymar last weekend brought a long-simmering dispute to the surface, and GOAL reports that their strained relationship threatens to fracture the dressing room in the early stages of the season.
Mbappe turned down Real Madrid to extend his contract with PSG, but the excitement surrounding that historic deal has since faded.
The French forward is reportedly dissatisfied with how little his influence has increased behind closed doors in recent months.
He feels he has not gotten the prominence he was promised by the club’s hierarchy, and he is displeased that Neymar has gained influence among teammates, notably Lionel Messi and Sergio Ramos.
PSG appears to be on the verge of a crisis in head coach Christophe Galtier’s first season in charge.
Some players seem to have drifted apart from one another rather than uniting under the common goal of delivering the Champions League title to the city.
What Is Mbappe Angry About?
According to GOAL, Mbappe is bothered by his minor role in the dressing room hierarchy in comparison to the respect he believes he has earned.
He has expressed frustration that Neymar is gaining power amid the Brazilian’s electrifying start to the campaign.
Earlier this summer, Neymar seemed ready to depart Parc des Princes, but he later made it plain he wanted to stay and renew his commitment.
Neymar has contributed three goals and three assists in his first two Ligue 1 games, and it’s been stated that his training activities have attracted the focus of teammates.
Neymar was formerly seen by Mbappe as a close ally, but that perception seems to have changed.
Why Is Mbappe Receiving A Lot Of Criticism?
The forward has come under fire for two incidents last weekend in PSG’s 5-2 win over Montpellier.
After missing a penalty kick earlier in the game, Mbappe argued with Neymar about penalty duties in a separate one awarded in the match.
In another controversial action, he appeared to give up on a counterattack after failing to receive a pass from Vitinha.
Although Galtier defended Mbappe after the game, both incidents were viewed negatively by teammates.
“It’s a bit normal for him to be disappointed at being a little short physically compared to his teammates,” the manager told reporters.
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Meanwhile, midfielder Marco Verratti quipped, “With the penalty, he sulked a bit but that’s normal. He’s a great player, he wants to make a difference.
“It’s good when he’s angry, it means he cares about this team.”
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