Neal Maupay finally breaks silence on what he said to Kyle Walker | Football

Towards the end of Manchester City’s come-from-behind 3-1 victory over Brentford earlier this month, there was a flashpoint when notorious wind-up merchant Maupay said something that got under the skin of Walker.

The England right-back complained to both the fourth official and the referee and seemed to suggest that the Frenchman had said something which he felt crossed a line.

Neither player, nor their managers, revealed what was said afterwards, though a forensic lip reader for the Daily Mail claimed Walker had accused Maupay of mentioning his children on two occasions.

The 33-year-old had been mocked by Brentford fans in the game following an interview he gave in which he confirmed he had cheated on his wife Annie Kilner and fathered a second secret child with influencer and model Lauryn Goodman.

‘People don’t realise how much tension and emotion is involved at the highest level. I think it works quite well and if I can get a reaction, great.

‘It’s not personal and I’m sure I’ve never crossed that line. I try to be on the edge but I don’t say stuff about a player’s private life or their family.

‘People can judge who someone is from a 90-minute game, but what they see on the pitch isn’t real life. That’s why I’m not really worried about what they think. You could be the nicest player in the world and people would still find a way to hate on you, so I’m just going to keep being me.

‘Six years ago in the Championship I was doing the same thing, but because these are big stars, big teams, everyone is talking about it, but it goes both ways. The defenders can be cheeky with it as well. I’m not a crazy guy. We played Wolves last week and nothing happened because their centre-backs acted differently.’

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