It looked like the squabble between Paris Saint-Germain stars Neymar and Edinson Cavani was going to end in tears, following their clash over who should take a penalty kick.
PSG’s striking duo had an altercation when a penalty was awarded in the 2-0 victory against Lyon. The duo argued over the penalty, which Cavani ultimately missed.
Various media reported that Neymar and Cavani then clashed in the changing room. Days later it was claimed by Spanish newspaper Sport that Neymar had demanded his team-mate be sold.
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Sport said: “Neymar has already communicated to [PSG president] Nasser Al-Khelaifi that his coexistence with Cavani is totally impossible and he has asked for the transfer of the Uruguayan striker.”
However, the Daily Mail reports, all is well in the PSG camp after Neymar apologised to his team-mates.
Uruguay striker Cavani also played down the Neymar saga, telling radio station Gol de Medianoche de Radio Universal that there was no problem with the world-record signing.
“I learned of the story just now talking with my brother, about people saying that Cavani won’t let anyone take penalties and that there’s a problem with Neymar,” said Cavani.
“The truth is that there’s no problem. He [Neymar] has just arrived and like I said from the off we are keen for him to adapt in the best way possible. I think that’s been proven because you can see he is adapting quickly.”
PSG coach Unai Emery has also had his say on the matter and believes there is a “good atmosphere” in the team. He told Sport: “At the end of the game [a 2-0 win against Lyon], with emotions high, there could have been a conversation which some could call an argument, but that’s normal, they happen in all games, one way or another.
“That doesn’t disrupt the good harmony, the good atmosphere that there is among the team.”