PSG manager Christophe Galtier has played down talk of tension between Kylian Mbappe and Neymar.
The forwards clashed a month ago over a penalty during the French side’s 5-2 win over Montpellier, which Neymar took and scored after Mbappe had missed earlier on in the game.
The Brazilian then liked a series of tweets criticising his team-mate, but the rift was reportedly squashed in the same week after talks with sporting director Luis Campos.
It seemed however the two weren’t on the same page again in PSG’s win over Juventus in midweek, however, when Mbappe refused to square a ball to Neymar, who was in a prime position to score, but Galtier, via Goal and The Mirror, has denied there is any sort of feud going on.
‘The relationship between Kylian and Ney is good and I’m not waffling here,’ he said. ‘Having spoken with Kylian, who I think spoke about it with Neymar… they’re together in training exercises, they’re often together in the warm-ups.’
The 56-year-old defendeded the French forward for not passing to his team-mate, claiming he didn’t see Neymar in space.
‘Yes, there was the match situation,’ he added. ‘There are two moments to that move. The first acceleration where maybe he can give the ball but it’s a bit difficult, and the second where Kylian makes the difference, gets into the penalty box and doesn’t see Ney.
‘When you watch the video it all seems simple. But you have two seconds to make a decision and Kylian is focused on the ball.
‘I’m convinced he’ll assist Neymar in the future and vice versa. I haven’t felt anything negative since the match regarding that passage of play.’
Neymar did assist Mbappe in the game, playing a neat chip through for the 23-year-old to volley home to put PSG 1-0 up.
There has reportedly been tension at the French club since Mbappe signed a new mega-contract, which is understood to give him more control of footballing affairs at the club.
The player himself too however dismissed the idea of a feud before the Champions League game in the week.
He said: ‘This is the sixth year with Neymar. We have always had a relationship like this, based on respect, but sometimes with warmer and colder moments. It is the nature of our relationship
‘I have a lot of respect for the player that he is. When you have two players with such a strong character, you have moments like that, but always with respect and in the interest of PSG.’