Kylian Mbappe feels Neymar lacks ‘vigour’ at Paris Saint-Germain as the duo’s relationship worsens behind the scenes, according to reports. The pair used to be close at the Parc des Princes. But that’s no longer the case, with the 2018 World Cup winner eyeing a January move away – despite insisting he’s content with life in the French capital.
Mbappe was expected to leave PSG for Real Madrid back in the summer, with his contract due to expire at the time.
But the France international ended up staying put instead, dealing a huge blow to Real president Florentino Perez in the process and penning a new contract that runs until 2025.
Mbappe has continued to produce the goods in the time since but, in recent weeks, much has been made about his worsening relationship with Neymar.
Previously, the duo got along – both on and off the field.
Yet ever since Mbappe tried to convince PSG chiefs into selling Neymar back in the summer, the pair have had an uneasy relationship with one another.
Now, El Pais via Sport have claimed the France international feels his experienced team-mate ‘lacks vigour’.
Mbappe wants everybody at PSG to be working to a maximum, especially with the club still waiting for a first-ever Champions League triumph.
And he feels Neymar doesn’t apply himself enough, despite the 30-year-old clocking up some impressive performances already this season.
The former Barcelona and Santos star has scored nine gals from 11 Ligue 1 matches, while also striking once in the Champions League so far.
And he’s also produced seven assists in the league as well, one more than he managed from twice the appearances in the same competition last term.
Mbappe recently insisted he wasn’t looking to leave PSG in January.
He said: “I never asked for my departure in January.
“The information that came out on the day of the [Champions League match against Benfica], I did not understand it.
“I am not involved in this information neither directly nor indirectly.
“I was as shocked by this news as everyone else. People may think I’m involved, I’m not at all.
“I was taking a nap, my entourage was at my little brother’s game. We were stunned when we found out.
“Afterwards, we had to deal with it, we had a match to play. I just wanted to say that it’s completely false, I’m very happy here.”
But that hasn’t stopped numerous reports from stating the 23-year-old wants to leave at the earliest opportunity, putting the likes of Real Madrid and Liverpool on red alert.
Caught in the middle of all this is Lionel Messi.
It’s previously been claimed the Argentine is ‘suspicious’ of Mbappe – with Sergio Ramos also sharing the same opinion on the PSG superstar.
Messi and Neymar have always been close, with the pair beginning to replace their old Barcelona form over at the Parc des Princes.
And Mbappe has been left unhappy at having to play as a centre-forward so his two senior team-mates can take the spotlight for themselves instead.
Meanwhile, former Arsenal and Barcelona star Thierry Henry recently urged Mbappe to remember the team, rather than the individual, was the most important thing in football.
“Always remember there’s only one rule,” he told CBS Sports.
