Mbappé Addresses Dembélé Rift: “He is a Friend”

What looked like the start of a feud between two of France’s biggest stars has been cut down at the source by Kylian Mbappé himself.

For several days, the Ballon d’Or race had been framed as the backdrop to a supposed clash between Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé, a narrative fed by a pair of pointed public comments. Now, back together with the national team, the Real Madrid forward has stepped in to shut it down.

From “the chosen one” to a brewing storyline

It started on 11 September, in an interview with France Football. Asked about his chances of lifting the Ballon d’Or in London on 26 October, Mbappé drew a comparison between his own rise and Dembélé’s more uneven path.

“He has always been considered a talented player. I have always been seen as the chosen one. I was at the top from the start. He had a different path, injuries, but he recovered well,” Mbappé said of his former PSG teammate.

The phrase “the chosen one” stuck. Two days later, Dembélé answered on Ligue 1+. He never mentioned Mbappé by name, but he knew exactly which line he was echoing.

“Throughout my entire career, I haven't said a single word, I have worked very hard. As I said, I have never been the chosen one, but I have worked hard, and last year I was rewarded with a fantastic season at PSG. And this year, we'll see, no pressure, calm,” said the latest Ballon d’Or winner.

That was enough to light the fuse. With both players due to reunite with France, the prospect of a frosty camp and a divided attack quickly became a talking point.

No, there are no tensions

The expected storm never arrived. Speaking to L’Équipe at an event for his new sponsor, Mbappé made a point of addressing the situation head on.

“I’ve already talked it over with him and no, there are no tensions. He is a friend. I really think there is no problem at all in that regard, I’m very calm,” the France number 10 insisted.

Mbappé then turned the spotlight on the environment around the national team, suggesting the whole episode had been amplified by the constant need for a storyline whenever Les Bleus get together.

“During the Nations League period and with the French national team, you always have to look for a topic of debate, and I think this one is very well chosen,” he concluded, with a hint of irony.

The Ballon d’Or will be handed out in London in late October. Between now and then, France’s attack will be led by two men who insist they are aligned, not at war. The award is an individual prize. The next few weeks with France will show whether the noise around it can really stay that way.