Mauro Icardi laughs off talk of rift with Lionel Messi after reports claimed he was snubbed by his new PSG team-mates due to Wanda Nara
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MAURO ICARDI has laughed off talk of a rift with Lionel Messi after the Paris Saint-Germain striker was reportedly snubbed by his team-mates because of his marriage to Wanda Nara.
French newspaper L’Equipe recently reported on the alleged tensions at the Ligue 1 champions - describing Icardi's arrival on loan from Inter Milan as "unwelcome".
According to the French outlet, the rift stems from Icardi's marriage to stunning 32-year-old Wanda - who was once married to fellow Argentine footballer Maxi Lopez and acts as Icardi's agent.
PSG boast a strong Argentine core with 26-year-old Icardi, Angel Di Maria and Leandro Paredes.
And more rumours of that bad blood had spread to Icardi's relationship with Barcelona superstar and Argentina hero Messi.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner, 32, is good mates with Lopez.
report that it has been suggested in the past that Messi has "vetoed" Icardi's place in the national team because of his relationship with Wanda - his pal's ex.
But Icardi has rubbished claims of any such issue between himself and Messi.
He told Canal+: "I knew [Messi] at Barcelona years ago. I let people talk. These are things we cannot avoid.
"I do not believe in these stories. I was able to meet him, he is the best player in the world. I appreciate him enormously.
"Those who know me know who I really am, and that's all that matters.
"It's been seven years [that I've been judged more on my personal life than on my game].
"Wanda is famous. I am too. But that does not affect my game.
"Otherwise I would not have played for Inter and scored 150 goals. We try to live our relationship as best as possible.
"We are both in love. And we do not choose who we fall in love with, it's like that."
Wanda brokered his loan move to PSG this summer after his relationship with Inter bosses fell down over failed contract talks.
And Icardi says he is happy to be somewhere where they actually win trophies.
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Delivering a sensational slight on Inter, striker Icardi said: "I got to my seventh year with Inter, my dream was to play in the Champions League with Inter, it came true.
"We did not win much. We did not win anything but I stayed, I scored goals.
"And it was time for me to play in a winning team. Joining a team with so many great players is what I wanted."