What is the Neymar - Mbappe 'feud' about? PSG rift explained

While there are obvious benefits to splashing the cash and pooling world-class talent into one star-studded squad, the presence of big personalities and egos – such as those possessed by Paris Saint-Germain forwards Kylian Mbappe and Neymar – is always likely to cause problems. The reigning Ligue 1 champions have been finding that out to their cost in 2022-23, with rifts emerging in the Parc des Princes ranks.

Why have French and Brazilian internationals been butting heads and what has been done to try and resolve a supposed feud that could cause irreparable damage to collective harmony? GOAL takes a look...

There had been talk of tension in the camp prior to matters reaching boiling point in a Ligue 1 clash between PSG and Montpellier on August 13, 2022.

In the 21st minute of that contest, World Cup winner Mbappe fluffed his lines from the penalty spot seeing his effort saved by Jonas Omlin.

PSG were then awarded another spot-kick a couple of minutes before the interval, with Neymar this time deciding to pick up the ball and take matters into his own hands.

Mbappe was, despite his earlier miss, visibly annoyed at being removed from penalty duty and went as far as airing his grievances in Neymar’s ear before the Brazilian waved him away and duly found the back of the net.

There was also an incident during the game where after being overlooked for a through-ball by Portuguese midfielder Vitinha, Mbappe stopped running and threw his arms up in the air.

The drama continued after a final whistle had been blown, and there are reports of Sergio Ramos having to intervene as Mbappe and Neymar threatened to come to blows in the dressing room with heated questions being asked of supposed acts of petulance.

Things did not stop