Neymar has got his Kylian Mbappe revenge as PSG star shines alongsi…

Neymar: Pundits on whether PSG move was the right decision

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Back in the summer, after getting his new PSG contract, Kylian Mbappe reportedly had the audacity to request Neymar be sold. It was claimed the France international felt his team-mate wasn’t committed enough to the cause and wanted him offloaded so he could hog more of the spotlight, sparking links to the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea. However, the Brazil international has now got his revenge by sparkling alongside Lionel Messi and becoming, arguably, the talisman of Christophe Galtier’s side.

Mbappe signed a new PSG contract back in the summer, having previously looked set to join La Liga giants Real Madrid.

And it was said at the time that he felt it was time for the club to cut Neymar loose, questioning the Brazilian’s commitment to the cause in the process.

In the end, however, PSG didn’t oblige. Having renewed the Samba star’s own deal earlier in the year, they didn’t feel like offloading the 30-year-old.

Yes, he’s had injury problems ever since his blockbuster move from Barcelona back in the summer transfer window of 2017.

Yes, Neymar has a fondness for the Parisian nightlife – just like many other players of his nationality over the years.

But the PSG star has, in the short time since Mbappe requested he be sold, proved exactly by board members at the Parc des Princes were so keen to keep him.

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While Mbappe has outscored his team-mate so far this season, the France international is now the odd one out in Galtier’s side.

Neymar is, right now, arguably the best player on the planet. He was devastating in their stirring 4-3 win over Troyes on Saturday night, putting on a display that had fans inside the stadium crooning for more.

The former Barcelona star should have provided one of the greatest assists ever seen, with Mbappe then fluffing his lines from close range.

But with a goal and assist to his name, it was another mesmiring display from Neymar.

His partnership with Messi is devastating, and brilliant, to watch. When they click and gel, there’s not a single defence on the planet capable of stopping them from wrecking havoc.

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While Mbappe’s stats point to him just being a formidable goalscorer, a feat we can’t downplay, Neymar and Messi are evolving to different levels entirely.

The Brazilian has scored 10 goals and clocked up eight assists from just 12 league matches, while also netting twice in the Champions League.

And Messi’s record of seven goals and 10 assists is commendable, too, with the veteran enjoying his second year in France far more than his first.

Mbappe, when he signed his new deal, thought he’d easily be PSG’s main man.

But, instead, it’s Neymar and Messi who are rising to the fore – with the rest of world football left envious at their sensational partnership as a result.

Speaking after his side’s win over Troyes, meanwhile, Galtier slammed PSG for their poor defending as they narrowly battled their way to victory.

“We conceded three goals, and those are three goals too many,” he said. “We need to fix it.

“We’ve scored 11 goals this week but conceded five, which is way too many.

“The three tonight are more than half of what we’d conceded up until then.

“We’ll need to work with the players and correct that because in the Champions League, when you concede three goals, you’ve got very little chance of winning.”

PSG have now won 11 of their first 13 Ligue 1 matches, drawing just two in the process.

They sit five points ahead of Lens, who continued their own charge towards the title with a 3-0 win over Toulouse on Friday.

Next up for PSG is a clash with Juventus in the Champions League on Wednesday (8pm).

They’re expected to win the showdown, too, with the Old Lady already eliminated from the competition.

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