Kylian Mbappé puts France unity under Ballon d’Or strain

France’s expected new era under Zinedine Zidane is facing an early test, with the national team’s unity questioned over Kylian Mbappé’s public push for the Ballon d’Or. The campaign has reportedly unsettled Ousmane Dembélé and exposed wider frustration within the France group.

Former Paris Saint-Germain player Jérôme Rothen said on RMC that Dembélé viewed Mbappé’s approach as a betrayal and was deeply angered by it. Rothen also said the tension extended beyond Dembélé, with members of the France squad struggling to accept Mbappé’s statements and increasingly identifying with his teammate rather than with him.

The claims have created the impression of two camps inside one team. Dembélé, the reigning Ballon d’Or winner, was described as a more unifying presence who had helped ease tensions between players. Mbappé’s standing had previously been protected by his performances at the World Cup, where he finished as the tournament’s top scorer while maintaining exemplary conduct. Rothen suggested that his latest declarations could now work against him.

Attention will turn to the next France gathering, particularly the first meeting between Mbappé and Dembélé. The episode threatens to overshadow the optimism surrounding Zidane’s arrival and leaves the squad’s cohesion under scrutiny.