BRAZILIAN football superstar Neymar congratulated Lionel Messi on Instagram for his World Cup win in Qatar. He posted: “Congratulations brother” in Spanish but fans were quick to notice a lack of commiserations for his other Paris Saint-Germain teammate Kylian Mbappe.

Rumor or fact?

The two had a reported falling out after a heated exchange at a match against Montpellier in League One in France. Neymar appeared to have prevented Mbappe from taking the penalty kick after missing one early on in the game.

Neymar apparently did not follow coaching directives on the order of penalty takers incensing Mbappe. According to reports, this caused friction between them that cooled the relationship.

Neymar and Brazil got knocked out of the World Cup by Croatia in a penalty shoot out. Croatia equalized against them and held the score until the end of extra time.

They were odds on favorites to win it all. The prospect of them facing Argentina in the semi-finals seemed moot but Croatia had other plans. 

Neymar, Messi and Mbappe are teammates in League One in France. They form one of the most devastating frontlines in Club football. 

The league games resume after the World Cup. There is still a lot at stake after the tournament.  Champions League and league games are coming thick and fast.

Whether this becomes an issue in terms of team chemistry seems unlikely but might affect long term commitments of the players.

PSG is owned by the state of Qatar, the host of the 2022 World Cup. The Paris based team has ambitions of winning the Champions League. This is the top and most prestigious tournament in club football. It will require a united front between its star players.

Critical to all this is Mbappe and Neymar getting along to help Messi win the Champions League again this time for PSG.