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SOCCER

Kylian Mbappé: Relationship with Neymar is “hot and cold”

The 23-year-old forward reportedly wanted Neymar to be sold in the summer.

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Paris St Germain Press Conference - Paris, France - May 23, 2022 Paris St Germain's Kylian Mbappe during the press conference REUTERS/Christian Hartmann/File Photo
CHRISTIAN HARTMANNREUTERS

Kylian Mbappé has described his relationship with Neymar as “hot and cold” during a press conference ahead of PSG’s Champions League fixture against Juventus on Tuesday.

The 23-year-old forward reportedly wanted Neymar to be sold in the summer. The Frenchman had decided that “there was only room for two of, Neymar and Lionel Messi” and he was eager to learn from Messi rather than the Brazilian.

Mbappé on relationship with Neymar

“We have always had a relationship based on respect, but we’ve always had hotter and colder moments. There are periods where, as you see, we are the best friends in the world and other periods where we speak less. It’s the nature of our relationship, but there is a lot of respect,” he said.

“I have a lot of respect for the player that he is, what he represents and the importance that he has in our team. When you have two players with strong personalities like that, life isn’t linear. It’s true that sometimes things happen but it’s always respectful and in the interest of PSG,” he added.

PSG host Juventus in Champions League

PSG take on Juventus on Matchday 1 of the new 2022-23 Champions League campaign at the Parc des Princes on Tuesday. With the quality of Messi and Mbappé on show, the fixture between the two sides is set to be one of the most intriguing of the group stage.

The French champions have started the Ligue 1 season with five wins from six, scoring 24 goals along the way. Mbappé and Neymar have scored seven goals each in Ligue 1 this season.