Neymar denies report of dressing room bust-up with Donnarumma following PSG's stunning loss to Real Madrid

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Neymar denies report of dressing room bust-up with Donnarumma following PSG's stunning loss to Real Madrid image

Neymar has taken to social media to deny reports that he fought with goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma in the aftermath of Paris Saint-Germain's stunning Champions League elimination at the hands of Real Madrid.

Multiple reports, including from ESPN, said Neymar and Donnarumma had to be pulled apart in the dressing room after Wednesday's defeat, with the two blaming each other for the result. Notably, Donnarumma was blamed for his critical mistake leading to the first Real Madrid goal.

But both Neymar and Donnarumma have since denied the report, with the Brazilian addressing the matter on Instagram.

MORE: Collapse artists PSG fall again in Champions League

The incident is one of many reported outbursts following PSG's latest Champions League collapse, with executives and players all swallowed up by the heightened emotions within a club ousted from Europe's top competition.

What happened between Neymar and Donnarumma?

The ESPN report said the duo had a dressing room bust-up after the second leg of their round of 16 tie, with teammates having to separate the two. The report said that the two "squared up" as each player threw insults at the other.

Neymar reportedly blamed Donnarumma for giving the ball away to set up Real Madrid's opening goal from Karim Benzema, which began the Spanish side's three-goal run to steal the tie 3-2 on aggregate.

MORE: Donnarumma's costly error led to first Real Madrid goal, was it a foul?

Donnarumma, meanwhile, reportedly criticized Neymar's giveaway on Real Madrid and Benzema's second goal of the game. Neymar was heavily involved in PSG's attacking possession, with 86 touches and only 17 possessional giveaways while delivering four key passes to teammates, but he contributed little himself in front of net with just one shot.

What did Neymar say?

"I hate coming here and talking about news, but the previous post is a lie," Neymar said on an Instagram story post. "There was no fight inside the locker room.

"Incompetent journalists who want to promote themselves, try the next one ok?"

Neymar also posted a screenshot of a private WhatsApp conversation with Donnarumma, which read, "Calm down, in football it can happen. We are a team and we are with you. You're very young and you're going to win a lot of things. Get up and let's move on!"

PSG's furious reaction to loss

While the two players denied an altercation, the referee's report did reveal that PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi had a heated reaction to his team's exit.

MORE: More on Al-Khelaifi outburst after PSG's Champions League loss

Al-Khelaifi tried to storm into the referee's dressing room, according to the referee and multiple reports, as the club president broke equipment after his side were knocked out. The incident was reported to UEFA, who has officially opened disciplinary proceedings.

A scathing report by Miguel Delaney of The Independent after the match detailed significant dysfunction within the club, including a severe undermining of manager Mauricio Pochettino's authority. The report stated that multiple players within the squad refuse to implement Pochettino's pressing style, and when the manager tried to take action, the club hierarchy instead backed the players.

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