PSG manager Mauricio Pochettino responds to Kylian Mbappe-Neymar rift reports
The Paris Saint-Germain teammates are set to link up with Lionel Messi when the French side take on Manchester City on Tuesday
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Paris Saint-Germain manager Mauricio Pochettino has played down reports of an argument between Kylian Mbappe and Neymar.
Mbappe appeared to be frustrated after he was substituted in PSG’s 2-0 win over Montpellier on Saturday and reports in the French media indicated that the forward was unhappy with his teammate for not passing him the ball.
The France international seemed to complain to Idrissa Gueye on the PSG bench that Neymar “doesn’t give me the pass”.
Mbappe and Neymar, who have been teammates since both arriving at the club in 2017, have been joined by Lionel Messi in the French capital this season and welcome Manchester City to the Parc des Princes on Tuesday night.
But speaking ahead of the match, Pochettino was quick to dismiss that there had been a falling-out and maintained that the two superstars remained on good terms.
“They are fantastic guys. These things happen,” Pochettino said. “There are always things between top players. They are competitors who want to win and help the team achieve good.
“I have spoken to them individually. They may have also spoken to each other and there have been photos of them enjoying ourselves in training.
“If there is a small incident sometimes that can create a wave but it is actually just talk.”
Messi is set to be fit to face his former manager Pep Guardiola after recovering from an injury, but the Argentine has yet to score for PSG since leaving Barcelona this summer.
Messi, Mbappe and Neymar have started just two matches together this season - including the shock 0-0 draw against Club Brugge in the opening match of Group A.
“Of course they need time to work together,” Pochettino said. “I think they need time to work in different environments and to link up in a different way than they did in the past, when they met in different clubs.
“Of course they are all different and may need time to get to know each other and start to play naturally because, of course, PSG is always under pressure.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments