KEY POINTS

  • Mbappe and Neymar have had issues over penalty this season
  • Neymar is in fine form, having scored 9 goals in 7 games
  • PSG are set to host Juventus in UCL on Tuesday

Kylian Mbappe has opened up about his relationship with Neymar, saying it is "sometimes colder and sometimes warmer."

There have been reports suggesting all is not well in the Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) dressing room, especially between Mbappe and Neymar, who have had evident disagreements on the field this season over which of the two will take the penalty.

Mbappe, who had refused to comment on reports claiming he envied Neymar's influence in the dressing room, finally broke his silence on the rumors Monday, ahead of PSG's UEFA Champions League fixture against Juventus.

"It is my sixth year with Neymar. We have always had a relationship like this, based on respect, sometimes colder and sometimes warmer. I have great respect for him and his influence on the team," Mbappe told reporters, according to Goal.com.

"I don't know [who would take a penalty against Juventus], we'll see. We have to see how it goes during the match. Being first-choice doesn't mean you're going to take all penalties. You have to know how to divide the cake," the PSG star added further.

Fans in Japan will get a chance to see Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi and Neymar when PSG play three games later this month against J-League clubs
Fans in Japan will get a chance to see Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi and Neymar when PSG play three games later this month against J-League clubs AFP / FRANCK FIFE

PSG, who are yet to win the Champions League, are scheduled to host Juventus at Parc des Princes on Tuesday.

The two said PSG forwards clashed in August's win over Montpellier when Neymar barred Mbappe, who had seen an earlier penalty saved, from taking another spot-kick, ignoring the order of penalty takers assigned by boss Christophe Galtier.

Sergio Ramos had to separate the two stars in the dressing room after the match and Neymar's "liking" posts on social media poking fun at Mbappe's missed penalty had only further strengthened the rumors, according to Sky Sports.

Earlier this season, Galtier said that his first-choice preferred penalty taker at PSG was Mbappe followed by Neymar.

Keeping the rumors about the sour relationship between Mbappe and Neymar aside, the PSG duo has been in fine form in the ongoing campaign.

Neymar has already netted nine goals in seven games while also providing six assists. Mbappe, on the other hand, has scored seven goals in five games. Even Lionel Messi, who is into his second season at PSG, has been involved in 10 goals, scoring four and assisting six.

PSG are at the top of the 2022-23 Ligue 1 table, having won five out of their six fixtures and drawn one.