'Ask him': Neal Maupay opens up about row with James Maddison after cheeky post appearing to mock exclusion from England squad
Neal Maupay insists he has no problem with James Maddison after appearing to mock his exclusion from England's Euro 2024.
Maupay drew the ire of the Tottenham team when copied Maddison's dart throwing celebration in January.
The duo exchanged words after the Brentford striker, on loan from Everton, before Spurs won 3-2.
Maupay then escalated the dispute on social media when he wrote: “More goals and fewer relegations in my career than James Maddison.”
The 27-year-old seemed to reignite things when he posted a photo of himself with a game of darts shortly after Maddison was dropped from England's final 26-man squad for Euro 2024.
However, the striker insists he has no problem with the Tottenham midfielder.
Asked if there was a problem, Maupay told talkSPORT: “You have to ask him. For my part, I have no problem with him or anyone. I know that when I do things like that and we lose the game they will come after me.
“It's okay, I can take it. For me, football is a game and growing up I did the same thing. “I don’t want to stop now.”
He added: “I'm just joking a bit and laughing a bit, there's nothing deep. I like to give something, but I can also receive.
“It's just fun. I like to joke a little with my colleagues. That's the way it is, just because I'm a professional footballer doesn't mean I can't do it.
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“I don't know how people react, but that's just me.”
Maupay also revealed that he had not planned the celebration before scoring and it was just the first thing that crossed his mind.
He added: “I hadn't really thought about that before. I mark and celebrate with whatever comes to mind.
“I don't have a single celebration, so I do a little bit of everything. When I scored, I was running towards the corner flag and I saw the fans who were angry with me.
“I don't know how my brain works, but I just celebrated the darts celebration. It wasn't against Maddison, but one of his players does the celebration, so I just did it.”
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When asked about the reaction of the Spurs players, Maupay said: “That was even more fun. How do you take a celebration so personally?
“Before that game, I was good with everyone and with Maddison. He grabbed me right away when he was coming back from the goal and he was so screwed.
“I was like 'relax, it's just a celebration.'
“All the players after winning the game came to me and said 'blah, blah, blah'.
When asked if it bothers him, he said: “Of course not. You have more important things to worry about than my celebration. Just enjoy it.”
