Neymar, Mbappe and PSG’s ‘Penaltygate II’: Can the two superstars coexist? – Ghana Latest Football News, Live Scores, Results

We’re solely two weeks into the Ligue 1 season and after a seemingly harmonious begin, Paris Saint-Germain are going through some controversy and drama. “Penaltygate II” is in full swing after the scenes on Saturday night in opposition to Montpellier between Kylian Mbappe and Neymar.

Earlier than the beginning of the season, PSG’s new supervisor, Christophe Galtier, set the rule for penalties: France striker Mbappe is the No.1 taker and Brazil ahead Neymar the No. 2, which signifies that Neymar would take a spot kick if his teammate was not on the pitch anymore, or if the foul had been dedicated in opposition to him. That is actually how Mbappe understood it, but Neymar was not proud of the choice. He thought he ought to take precedence, however in the end, he accepted it throughout preseason.

Quick-forward to Saturday. Mbappe had already missed a penalty within the sport — given within the twenty first minute for Jordan Ferri’s handball within the field — when PSG bought a second one 20 minutes later for one more handball incident. Neymar grabbed the ball to the shock of his teammate, who then had a phrase with him, nevertheless it was clear that the Brazilian hardly listened.

As an alternative, Neymar dismissed him, saved the ball, took the penalty and scored. Mbappe wasn’t comfortable and his face confirmed it. He stayed grumpy all sport, regardless of scoring, and regardless of PSG placing on one other nice efficiency, successful 5-2.

Kylian Mbappe (proper) desires to be the primary essential at Paris Saint-Germain, however which will trigger some friction with Neymar (left). Aurelien Meunier – PSG/PSG through Getty Pictures

Sources instructed ESPN that Mbappe did not like the best way Neymar took the ball instantly for the second penalty. It upset him, although it wasn’t the one factor on his thoughts as some off-field issues within the days resulting in the sport additionally had an influence on his temper going into the Montpellier sport.

All in all, it was not an excellent night for Mbappe and he has been on the centre of the media storm since. On high of that, within the hours after the sport, Neymar preferred just a few tweets from some followers that criticised the selection of Mbappe because the No. 1 penalty taker.

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It is a acquainted subject for PSG, particularly since Neymar’s arrival from Barcelona over 5 years in the past. Again within the 2017-2018 season, the unique “Penaltygate” between Neymar and Edinson Cavani polluted the dressing room, a small subject that festered and was by no means settled by the membership or by then-manager, Unai Emery.

This time, it’s completely different and in some ways, it must be. First, defender Sergio Ramos had a phrase with each gamers instantly after the sport within the dressing room to attempt to diffuse the strain between the pair. Then on Sunday, Luis Campos had a phrase. The brand new sporting director confirmed his authority and reminded the 2 gamers of their duties and the need of respecting the foundations set by the supervisor. “You’re two nice gamers, do not let issues like this harm your season” he instructed them.

Campos additionally reminded Neymar concerning the dangers of taking points to social media as a substitute of his group. The world’s most costly participant had been sad with Mbappe’s angle throughout the sport following the penalty drama, reminiscent of when he stopped operating down the left wing on a PSG assault simply earlier than half-time as a result of Vitinha did not go him the ball.

New PSG supervisor Christophe Galtier has his work minimize out on the subject of fixing the problems of bruised egos inside his squad. Aurelien Meunier – PSG/PSG through Getty Pictures

Campos has recognized Mbappe since he was 14 and so they have a powerful relationship, which permits him to be robust and direct with the ahead. After the Montpellier sport, if Galtier mentioned that there was nothing flawed in his eyes with Neymar taking the second penalty as a result of Mbappe had missed the primary one, he knew that Campos would act because the unhealthy cop right here. And so it proved on Sunday.

So the place does this depart the duo? Neymar and Mbappe have been shut once they each arrived at PSG in the summertime of 2017. Nevertheless, their rapport has cooled previously couple of years, with the pair slowly drifting aside. They nonetheless respect one another, however there’s clearly an issue of egos and standing there. Sources have instructed ESPN that Mbappe bought aggravated final season on the liberties Neymar took when it comes to his self-discipline — his timekeeping and coaching habits, for instance — whereas Neymar was equally stunned to listen to concerning the energy given to his teammate by the membership as a part of his seismic contract extension this summer season. (It additionally wasn’t missed that PSG and Neymar mentioned him discovering a brand new membership this summer season, which did immediate the Brazilian to return with a renewed focus for preseason.)

Each gamers are actually claiming that the Montpellier incident is behind them and that it was not an enormous deal. Mbappe was clearly annoyed about off-field points, whereas Neymar defined that he bought confused and thought it was his flip to take the second penalty. Nevertheless, in a dressing room stuffed with egos, the 2 greatest ones have to seek out concord if PSG are to have a profitable season. Galtier and Campos might be key for this, in addition to the willingness of each gamers to make it work.

Neymar has began the season on hearth whereas Mbappe has some catching as much as do after lacking the French Tremendous Cup and the primary league sport of the season too. On Sunday at Lille, each will begin and each single considered one of their actions, reactions and phrases might be scrutinised.

Supply: espn.co.uk