'Neymar v Mbappe rivalry not real'

PSG stars Neymar and Kylian Mbappe continue to be a source of intrigue but Thomas Meunier insists any talk of a rivalry is fabricated.

Neymar and Kylian Mbappe are not driven by any kind of rivalry with one another, Paris Saint-Germain team-mate Thomas Meunier insists.

The world’s most expensive player and France’s World Cup-winning star were both on target as Thomas Tuchel’s men battled to a 3-1 win over Angers on Saturday.

There is intrigue over how Neymar might respond to teen sensation Mbappe challenging his star billing in the French capital but Belgium full-back Meunier maintains any notion of a rift between the two is a media creation.

Article continues below

Editors' Picks

Juve on alert: Exiled Icardi may have already played his final game for Inter Sarri vindicated for dropping Kepa as Chelsea & Pedro impress in Spurs win Magnificent Mane takes centre stage as league leaders Liverpool put on a five-star show Lukaku sends reminder that his Man Utd career is far from over

“The rivalry? It’s just to sell [newspapers],” he said.

“They are two fantastic players. They have the little bit more that the others do not have. 

“We can only be happy to have such players in the squad. Kylian remains Kylian, someone smiling, calm and professional.”

Of course, both players competed at the 2018 World Cup, with Mbappe outshining his arguably more esteemed colleague.

Neymar was at the centre of a diving controversy throughout the tournament as Brazil reached the quarter-finals, only to be knocked out by an inspired Belgium side.

Mbappe, meanwhile, scored in the World Cup final, as France won their first trophy since 1998, beating Croatia 4-2 in the showpiece.

The teenager has scored three goals in Ligue 1 this season, as has Neymar.

PSG return to action next week at Nimes.