Before the seventh matchday of the Champions League qualifiers against RB Salzburg, Kylian Mbappé responded to Neymar Junior, who recently claimed he was jealous of Lionel Messi following his arrival at Paris Saint-Germain. Contrary to expectations, the Madrid forward gave a response full of class.

Struggling for several months due to recurring injuries, Neymar Junior has been making headlines more for his media appearances than for his performances on the pitch. Often travelling in the hope of fully recovering from injuries that have significantly hindered his career since leaving PSG, the Brazilian forward recently made a startling statement about his former teammate Mbappé.

In an interview with legend Romario, who occasionally hosts his podcast on YouTube, the former Barça star suggested that the captain of the French national team became jealous following Lionel Messi’s arrival at PSG. “Mbappé is not a difficult person. I had my issues with him; we argued a bit. He was a crucial player at first. I used to call him Golden Boy… We had good years together. But when Messi arrived, I think he became a bit jealous. I think he didn’t want to share me with someone else. That’s when the arguments began, the changes in behaviour,” he revealed.

“I prefer to remember the good things about him”

In his remarks about the Madrid forward, Neymar made claims that could have sparked a media clash. Indeed, many expected Kylian Mbappé to respond strongly to these allegations, potentially fuelling further controversy. However, contrary to expectations, Real Madrid’s new number 9, who has been shining for weeks, simply avoided the drama on Tuesday. Appearing before the media to discuss his team’s match against RB Salzburg in the Champions League, the former AS Monaco player stood out with a very composed response.

To avoid adding weight to the Brazilian player’s remarks, which seem to be his main spotlight nowadays, Mbappé refrained from giving the provocative reply expected by the UEFA journalist who questioned him. “Neymar’s words? I have nothing to say. I’m focused on what I’m doing here in Madrid. I have a lot of respect for Neymar. I prefer to remember the good things about him, of a unique player in the history of football. Good luck to him and his family.”

A response that speaks volumes about Mbappé’s mindset

Real Madrid’s French striker Kylian Mbappe celebrates after scoring the 1-0 lead during the Spanish SuperCup final match between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona at Abdulla King’s Sports Complex of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia,12 January 2025. Efe/ABACAPRESS.COM// Alberto Estevez – Photo by Icon Sport
Back in top form at Real Madrid, the former AS Monaco player refuses to be distracted by off-pitch controversies. Currently the top scorer for the Madrid club with 18 goals, including 12 in La Liga, Kylian Mbappé has big ambitions for this season. Determined to position himself for the 2025 Ballon d’Or, set to be awarded next October, the French national team captain remains focused on his on-pitch performances. By choosing not to engage with Neymar’s provocative remarks, KM9 sends a strong message to his competition.

In any case, Real Madrid can be pleased with the mentality of their new star, who has been contributing significantly to the team’s offence in recent weeks. With this kind of response and a great deal of humility, Kylian Mbappé is asserting himself as a key leader in the Madrid team. At 26, the French player is showing exceptional maturity, and that’s something to celebrate.