On Monday, Kylian Mbappe denied rumors that the blackmail scandal involving his France teammate, Paul Pogba, could have an effect on his friendship with Pogba.
Pogba claims he is the target of an elaborate blackmail scheme worth millions of euros that accuses him of asking a witch doctor to curse Mbappe.
The allegations against the witch doctor were made public by Mathias, the older brother of Pogba.
The charge is refuted by Paul Pogba, who left Manchester United during the offseason to join his old team Juventus.
“No because today as things stand I prefer to believe what my teammate says,” Paris Saint-Germain star Mbappe said when asked if there might be a problem with Pogba.
Mbappe was speaking at a press conference ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League game between PSG and Pogba’s Juventus in Paris.
“He called me and gave me his version of events. It is his word against his brother’s word. I am going to trust my teammate,” Mbappe said of his fellow 2018 World Cup winner.
“I think it’s in the interests of the national team as well with a big tournament coming up.
“At the moment he already has certain problems and now is not the time to add to those problems.
“We’ll see what happens but I am quite detached from all that.”
A criminal investigation was launched in France last week into the affair.
Based on the results of a preliminary inquiry conducted last month, it will look into charges of blackmail by an armed gang, kidnapping, and participation in a criminal conspiracy that currently involve unidentified persons.
Pogba will have to fight to be healthy enough to defend the World Cup crown for France in Qatar beginning in November after being sidelined for Juve’s match against PSG on Tuesday. He has a knee ailment and is now healing.
