Neymar CONFIRMS he had angry showdown with Marquinhos & sporting director Campos

Paris Saint-Germain star Neymar has sensationally confirmed an angry showdown involving himself, team-mate Marquinhos and sporting director Luis Campos - and then launched the hunt for the dressing-room mole.

Reports here in France this week revealed that Campos stormed into the team's changing quarters following Saturday's 3-1 defeat at Monaco. He accused the players of lacking aggression, but some took exception to his intervention.

Leading the revolt were Neymar and compatriot Marquinhos, with a heated discussion taking place in the wake of the team's fourth defeat of 2023.

It was a surprise, then, when Neymar was presented to talk to the press here at the Parc des Princes ahead of Tuesday's last-16 Champions League tie with Bayern Munich.

And he refused to sidestep a question about the weekend bust-up, smiling as it was asked of him before setting off on a three-minute monologue.

'It has happened,' he said. 'We didn't agree with what was being said at that time, so we had a discussion about it. I speak to my friends every day, and I love all of them. It is like that with my girlfriend as well.

'We talk about football, all of us. Football is about communicating. Of course, there is respect on both sides, and sometimes you don't agree on things. So there might be a discussion to improve the team, the atmosphere, our play.

'We have lost a few games and we are frustrated about that. We want to win all the time. When those defeats come around, it hurts, so discussions are part of that. That can help us improve as a team. I think it has helped because we cleared things up. We know what we are all thinking.

'In terms of blocking things like that in the dressing-room, sometimes there are things that get into the press, and they can go viral very quickly. When there is information like that, we are angry. It is my sixth season here at PSG and it is difficult. Sometimes things have come out at important moments, like before a final. But I don't know what was going on.

'As a player and a team-mate here, that doesn't just affect me, it affects everyone and the coach. We have to work out what is happening. Things in the dressing-room shouldn't come out. That is sad. There are things that need to be resolved internally and not out on the street.

'You do that with your friends and family, and team-mates. You are with everyone from day to day. We have to stay together, so it's annoying those things come out. I am sure there will be more in the future. That is all part of football.'

PSG have long been plagued by stories of unrest off the pitch and there has been fresh speculation this week over the future of Neymar and Lionel Messi, whose contract expires this summer. There were reports last year, too, of tension between Neymar and Kylian Mbappe, who has been passed fit for the visit of Bayern.

Neymar was defensive when asked if he is confident of rediscovering his best form, having scored only once in Ligue 1 since the World Cup.

'I feel good,' he said. 'There have been certain games that have not gone well but I always tried to do everything I can. I have been a professional for 15 years now, I know how it works. Situations happen and criticism is valid. Everyone has an opinion. I respect that.

'But I will play the game the way I know, giving everything for the team. I will keep doing that.'

He added: 'We have that ability as a team. I have a lot of belief in myself. I know what I am capable of. I am also very humble. This is an important game and I'm confident we can turn in a good performance. We know what we need to do.'