Ousmane Dembélé-Mbappé dispute gains new detail

The dispute between France captain Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé has taken a new turn before Zinédine Zidane’s first gathering as national-team coach. Dembélé’s response to Mbappé’s Ballon d’Or comments was allegedly planned in advance by the player’s camp and Paris Saint-Germain, according to Daniel Riolo.

Mbappé, France’s all-time leading scorer, had described the 2025 Ballon d’Or contenders in terms that set himself apart, presenting his own status as that of “the chosen one” while referring to Dembélé as a talented player. Dembélé answered after Paris Saint-Germain’s 1-0 victory at Brest on Sunday, saying his career had been built on quiet work rather than being singled out, and that his outstanding PSG season had brought its reward.

Riolo said PSG’s communications department had arranged for Dembélé to speak to Ligue 1+ and required a Ballon d’Or question for the interview to take place. He interpreted that condition as evidence that the response was intended by both the player and the club, rather than being an improvised reaction after the match.

The episode now adds tension around the France squad’s next meeting, with two of its leading figures at the centre of a public disagreement over recognition and the Ballon d’Or race.