PSG insist Mbappe and Neymar 'are together' amid reports of rift

Star forwards had a disagreement during Champions League win over Juventus

Paris Saint-Germain's Kylian Mbappe celebrates scoring the second goal in the 2-1 Champions League win against Juventus at Parc des Princes on September 6, 2022. AFP

Kylian Mbappe celebrates with Vitinha and Neymar after scoring the first goal. EPA

Kylian Mbappe celebrates his first. EPA

Kylian Mbappe celebrates after scoring his second. EPA

Kylian Mbappe with teammate Nuno Mendes. EPA

PSG's Lionel Messi in action with Juventus' Leandro Paredes. Reuters

PSG's Neymar during the Champions League match against Juventus at the Parc des Princes. AP

Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie celebrates after pulling a goal back. AFP

McKennie scores at the Parc des Princes. AP

Paris Saint-Germain manager Christophe Galtier said Neymar and Kylian Mbappe share a "very good" relationship, amid reports of a rift between the pair following an incident in their Champions League match.

Neymar appeared to be furious after Mbappe chose to take a shot rather than pass the ball for a tap-in during their 2-1 win over Juventus in the group stage game on Tuesday.

"The relationship between Ney and Kylian is very good, and I'm not giving you the runaround," Galtier said.

"They are together in the training exercises, they are often together in the warm-ups. Yes, there was that match situation. And I discussed it yesterday with Kylian, who I think, I think, has discussed it with Ney.

"I am convinced that Kylian will make more decisive passes to Ney, as Ney is capable of making decisive passes to Kylian. But I haven't felt anything negative since the game in relation to this chance."

The incident came after the penalty drama during the 5-2 win over Montpellier last month. There, Mbappe looked frustrated despite scoring. Neymar insisted on taking the team's second penalty after Mbappe had missed the first. The latter did not celebrate after Neymar converted the spot-kick and that raised questions about who is PSG's main penalty taker.

PSG, placed second in Ligue 1, host Brest in the league later on Saturday.

PSG v Juventus player ratings

PSG RATINGS: Gianluigi Donnarumma 7 – Made three important saves, the first of which was an incredible stop at point-blank range to deny Milik’s goal-bound header from inside the six-yard box. He then saved well from Milik again in the second half, and reacted well as Juve threatened to level in the last 10 minutes. AFP

Sergio Ramos 6 – Following Donnarumma’s early wonder-save, the Spanish defender cleared the ball after it had been redirected goalwards. Was booked in the first half for petulance. AFP

Marquinhos 7 – One of his best performances so far this season. He dropped deep to get possession from goal kicks and get PSG moving forwards, though he looked twitchy as Juve grew into the game in the second half. AFP

Presnel Kimpembe 6 – Caught teammate Veratti flush in the face with his elbow by accident when celebrating the first goal. Looked solid until Juve applied pressure after the break, at which point he looked nervous. AFP

Nuno Mendes 6 – Was very quick to win the ball back when PSG’s attackers lost possession. AFP

Achraf Hakimi 7 – The Moroccan was solid at the back and looked a threat going forward. He was part of a neat one-two that provided the assist for Mbappe to score the second goal, and he was a constant source of inspiration from the right. Didn’t always make the right decisions, though. AP Photo

Marco Verratti 6 – The Italian started the move that led to PSG’s second goal when he got the ball forward to Mbappe, who then linked with Hakimi before netting. Lost his way a bit in the second half, though contributed a vital block. AFP

Vitinha 7 – The Portuguese looked comfortable on the ball and is a key part of this PSG side at both ends. He watched a first-half effort on goal flash wide of the post, but his teasing runs were always a danger. EPA

Lionel Messi 6 – The Argentine worked on the periphery of the Juve box. He linked well with Mbappe multiple times, and once laid the ball off to Vitinha, whose effort went wide. Came close with a trademark effort from the edge of the area after cutting inside. AFP

Kylian Mbappé 8 – Survived some hefty challenges early on to open the scoring with a ludicrous volley. Neymar scooped the ball over the defence, and the Frenchman cut across the ball to volley home past Perin. He doubled his tally following a neat one-two with Hakimi. He thrashed at a chance to make it three when Neymar was in a better scoring position, and dragged another effort wide following a perfectly weighted pass from Messi. AFP

Neymar 8 – Lively start in which his quick feet had Juventus all over the place. His audacious scooped pass found Mbappe, who volleyed home. Later, he thought he’d earned his side a penalty, but the referee waved away his appeals. Was involved in a slick move involving Messi and Mbappe, and his flick was to his Argentine teammate was as delicious as it was outrageous. AFP

SUBS: Nordi Mukiele (Hakimi, 78) N/A – Added fresh legs for Hakimi, who looked shattered. Mukiele struggled to get into the rhythm of the game. Reuters

Danilo Pereira (Vitinha, 78) N/A – Set Mbappe free with a strong run and perfectly weighted pass soon after coming on. AFP

Carlos Soler (Messi, 84) N/A – Was part of a breathtaking attack alongside Neymar, and though the Brazilian opted to pass to Mbappe, Soler’s movement pulled his defenders out of the way. AFP

Renato Sanches (Verratti, 87) N/A – Will appreciate the – albeit limited – game time among PSG’s crowded midfield options. AFP

JUVENTUS RATINGS: Mattia Perin 7 – Made a couple of good saves to deny Neymar and Messi, but could do little to stop either of Mbappe’s efforts. AFP

Danilo 4 – Had a tough evening, though was asked to play centrally against a formidable forward line. AFP

Leonardo Bonucci 5 – The Italian was typically well positioned to try and clear his lines, but he looked terrified any time either Mbappe or Neymar ran at pace towards him. AFP

Gleison Bremer 4 – The Brazilian made his Champions League debut and endured a tough evening alongside Bonucci. Lost Mbappe for the first. Getty Images

Juan Cuadrado 5 – An evening of inconsistency, summed up by two first-half moments. First, he was guilty of a strange wayward pass when, after receiving the ball in an attacking position, he punted it back aimlessly into his own half. Moments later, he delivered an exquisite cross on to the head of Milik, who’s effort was saved by Donnarumma. AFP

Leandro Paredes 6 – Struggled to keep pace with PSG, though he was Juve’s most consistent passer of the night. Made the most passes, and rarely gave the ball away. AFP

Adrien Rabiot 5 – Grew into the game. His first meaningful contribution was a left-footed effort when he had better options around him. AFP

Fabio Miretti 5 – Battled well throughout – and did better in the second half – but struggled to contain PSG on the attack. EPA

Filip Kostic 6 – Delivered a wonderful cross that McKennie headed home to half the deficit for the visitors. He then came close with a volley moments later that was blocked on the line. AFP

Arkadiusz Milik 7 – Came close twice, and can consider himself a bit unlucky to be substituted. His first effort was a header from point-blank range that Donnarumma somehow palmed away, and he came close again with a glancing header in the second half. AFP

Dusan Vlahovic 5 – Looked blunt in attack, though was in a good position late on only for substitute Kean to ignore him. EPA

SUBS: Weston McKennie (Miretti, 46) 7 – Rose tallest to head home from a Kostic cross and hand Juve a lifeline. Was a handful when he came on. AFP

Manuel Locatelli (Milik, 68) 5 – Milik had come closest to finding the net for Juve, but the visitors actually looked more cohesive without him on the field. AFP

Mattia de Sciglio (Cuadrado, 74) N/A – Fitted well into Allegri’s system and looked an upgrade on Cuadrado. AFP

Moise Kean (Rabiot, 87) N/A – Had a great chance to square the ball when through but opted not to pass to Vlahovic, who was in a better position. AFP

In the Champions League match, Mbappe scored two superb goals as PSG started their European campaign with a bang.

At 23 years and 260 days, Mbappe became the youngest player to score 35 goals in Europe’s top club competition, taking the record away from his teammate Lionel Messi, who was 47 days older when he reached that milestone.

Mbappe and his teammates were in total control throughout the first half, with Neymar and Messi putting on an exquisite show of their own.

Juventus had a good 10-minute spell in the second half after American midfielder Weston McKennie pulled one back, ensuring a tense finale. PSG’s defence appeared nervous toward the end but resisted the pressure.

Also, Uefa opened an investigation into alleged discriminatory behaviour by Juventus fans at the Parc des Princes.

Footage on social media appeared to show travelling supporters of the Italian side making inappropriate salutes and gestures during their Group H opener.

"In accordance with Article 31(4) of the Uefa Disciplinary Regulations, a Uefa Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector has been appointed to conduct a disciplinary investigation regarding allegations of discriminatory behaviour by Juventus supporters," the body said on Wednesday.

Paris police added that four people had been arrested in connection with the incident.