Kylian Mbappe Says Neymar Laughed off Video of Edinson Cavani Clash
November 20, 2018
Kylian Mbappe has said Neymar laughed after the Frenchman sent him a video of his clash with Paris Saint-Germain team-mate Edinson Cavani at the end of Brazil's 1-0 friendly win over Uruguay at the Emirates Stadium on Friday.
Neymar's 76th-minute penalty decided the fixture, but it was Cavani's tackle on his club-mate five minutes from the end that earned attention. Cavani was cautioned for the challenge, but Mbappe told reporters the pair will have "no problem" resuming a harmonious relationship once back in Paris:
"Edinson is always up for the game, so there is no need to give him extra motivation for matches. He is a great player and having him with us at PSG does us a lot of good.
"I sent Neymar a video of his clash with Edinson via WhatsApp and he just laughed in response, so that says it all. It was nothing, it was a duel and they were defending their countries. They both gave everything, which you have to do when you go for the ball, and contact is a part of the game—that is all."
"... This will not stop them from hugging and making up at PSG and then scoring goals together once we are back with PSG. There is no problem."
Cavani tossed the ball in Neymar's direction after the Selecao star rebuffed his offer to help him off the floor.
The Uruguayan commented straight after the match and downplayed the severity of the incident: "Things happen on the pitch that raise the temperature, but we reflect after the match and things go back to normal."
Neymar also addressed the matter after Cavani was seen mouthing words to the Brazilian as he walked away: "What did [Cavani] say? He said nothing. Either that, or I did not hear what he said."
The altercation dredged up memories of the rocky relationship Cavani and Neymar endured soon after the latter arrived at the Parc des Princes in the summer of 2017.
It was in September that year they had a bust-up regarding penalty duties during a 2-0 win over Lyon.
The issue was brought back into focus in January this year when Neymar demanded a spot-kick to score his fourth in an 8-0 drubbing of Dijon, even though one goal could have made Cavani the club's record scorer.
ESPN FC pundit Shaka Hislop pointed blame for that incident on then-PSG manager Unai Emery:
PSG coach Thomas Tuchel likely won't mind his players displaying their passion while representing their national teams, so long as it doesn't have any lasting impact on their club campaign.
Both players will be back at the Parc des Princes this week in preparation for Saturday's visit of Toulouse in PSG's return to Ligue 1.
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