16 February 2023 , 23:15
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Kylian Mbappe's post-match comments after Paris Saint-Germain’s midweek Champions League defeat appeared to be a dig at team-mate Neymar
Mbappe limped off the pitch in his side's Ligue 1 victory at Montpellier earlier this month with PSG subsequently confirmed that the striker was set for a three-week layoff. However, the clash against Bayern Munich came just two weeks after that injury – and the striker made an appearance from the bench.
It was not enough to stop PSG’s deserved Champions League clash defeat against Bayern, with Neymar’s actions the following day drawing criticism and being labelled as “unprofessional”. The Brazilian went to the European Poker Tour in Paris and was later pictured in a McDonald's in the French capital.
That came the day after Mbappe had stressed the importance of PSG players “eating and sleeping well”. The comments were somewhat unusual and could be read as criticism of others, with Neymar’s subsequent actions appearing to fall into this bracket.
"We worked day and night," Mbappe said after the game. "Our players have to be in good health for the return leg, everyone needs to eat and sleep well. They’re not comfortable when we play attacking football.”
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Mbappe’s introduction against PSG just before the hour mark helped transform his side from what had been a flat, one-paced performance into a genuine attacking threat. Mbappe forced Yann Sommer into a good save from a one-on-one situation while he also netted an offside goal.
Neymar and Mbappe have not always seen eye-to-eye in recent monthsHave Your Say! What do you make of Neymar’s off-pitch actions? Tell us what you think here.
It has not been an entirely happy campaign for Mbappe in Paris. There are ongoing reports of the Frenchman’s alleged feud with Neymar. The superstar duo fell out over the order of penalty-takers earlier this season in a Ligue 1 clash.
Former Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos was reportedly forced to step in to separate the feuding pair and boss Christophe Galtier staged a first-team meeting in which the two were rebuked. However, it increasingly appears to be an uneasy relationship with short-term measures to limit any fallout.
Mbappe this week urged his Paris Saint-Germain teammates to “stay strong and united” after Neymar was involved in a heated dressing room clash on Saturday. It comes amid PSG’s alarming slip in form – they have lost five matches in all competitions since the turn of the year.
Mbappe recently refused to commit his future to PSG following suggestions of an exit. "For now, a second World Cup," the France international said in November when quizzed over his alleged transfer request. "After that, I don't know."
He has yet to provide an update on his future but the dressing room at the Parc des Princes appears to be far from a settled, happy one.