Paris Saint-Germain has never been foreign to internal tensions, but this time, the incident takes on a new dimension. During the last Ligue 1 match, an unexpected scene broke out between João Neves and Ousmane Dembélé, two players supposed to be complementary on the field but who found themselves at the heart of an explosive controversy. The young Portuguese environment, considered one of the revelations of the season, has not chewed his words: he publicly accused Dembélé of being “a selfish player”, reproaching the French winger for having stolen two decisive penalties.
According to João Neves, the story could have been written otherwise: “I could have become the first PSG player to score 5 goals in a single Ligue 1 match. But he took my balloons, he decided to shoot without even consulting me … It was my moment, and he stole it. These words, released hot in front of the cameras, immediately ignited social networks and divided Parisian supporters. Some supported the legitimate ambition of the Portuguese environment, while others defended Dembélé by stressing that the tricolor winger had only fulfilled his role as offensive leader.
Dembélé’s replica was quick and surprised everyone. With an ironic smile, he said, “If you want to get into history, you must first be able to assume pressure. Penalties are not a gift, it is a responsibility. »A heavy sentence, interpreted by some as a brutal replacement of his teammate. This scathing tone not only amazed the public but also caused freezing silence in the Parisian locker room, where several executives preferred to avoid taking a stand.
Behind the scenes, the atmosphere would have become electric. Witnesses say that the tension continued after the match, with an animated dispute between the two players, quickly interrupted by the intervention of Luis Enrique. The Spanish coach, visibly annoyed by the turn of events, would have recalled before the whole group that “no one is more like the team” and that “individual records pass after the collective victories”. Despite these words, the crack seems very real and could weaken the unity of an already under pressure wardrobe.
This clash falls at the worst time for Paris. At a time when PSG is trying to establish its domination in Ligue 1 and to prepare the crucial deadlines in the Champions League, an ego war could disrupt the dynamics. The French and foreign media have already seized the case, drawing parallels with the historical tensions experienced by the club, from Neymar to Cavani to the whims of Mbappé.
On the supporters’ side, the reactions oscillate between anger and resignation. “We don’t need this kind of show, we want victories, not quarrels of spoiled children,” we could read on Twitter. Others, more cynical, believe that this type of conflict simply reflects the reality of a cloakroom filled with stars and personal ambitions.
It remains to be seen how the club management will manage this situation. Should we sanction one of the players for the example? Or on the contrary, try to appease the spirits to preserve the fragile balance of the team? President Nasser Al-Khelaïfi has already summoned an emergency meeting with Luis Enrique in order to find a communication strategy and prevent this scandal from taking on even more magnitude.
Anyway, this case is just beginning. The Duel Neves – Dembélé could well become the most explosive soap for the Parisian season. In a team where each gesture, each word is scrutinized by millions of fans, the slightest spark can cause a media fire. And this time, PSG seems in the heart of the flames.
