Dembele ‘furious’ after Mbappé’s Ballon d’Or remarks spark rift in France camp

Statements made by Kylian Mbappé about the Ballon d’Or race have reportedly provoked a furious reaction from Ousmane Dembele, who is said to feel betrayed by his compatriot’s remarks. In an interview with France Football, Mbappé claimed he had always been viewed as “the chosen one”, a comparison that Dembele interpreted as a personal slight.

According to Mundo Deportivo, citing former France international Jérôme Rothen, the PSG winger was left “very angry”, and the friction has spread beyond the two players. Rothen suggested that several members of the French national team struggle to understand Mbappé’s comments and have sided with Dembele, creating two distinct groups within the squad. He added that the Real Madrid forward’s attitude had already caused unrest during the World Cup. The reported fallout highlights growing tension around France’s star‑studded dressing room and raises questions about unity ahead of future international commitments.