Mbappe’s Ballon d’Or Comments Ignite Rift Within France Squad, Leaving Dembele Feeling Betrayed
Kylian Mbappe has caused unrest within the France national team after making public comments about the Ballon d'Or that upset several teammates. Ousmane Dembele is reportedly the most affected, feeling betrayed by Mbappe's remarks. This has led to a split in the dressing room, with two camps forming ahead of the first matches under new coach Zinedine Zidane.
Comments That Sparked Outrage
The situation escalated after Mbappe said he was always seen as the "chosen one" and implied Dembele's career path was hindered by injuries. Following Paris Saint-Germain's 1-0 victory over Brest, Dembele responded sharply, saying, "I was never the chosen one, I worked hard and had a wonderful year with Paris." These words marked a turning point for Dembele, who had generally kept quiet despite being irritated by some of Mbappe’s previous statements.
Dembele Feels Deeply Let Down
Ex-player and analyst Jerome Rothen shared insights into Dembele’s feelings on RMC Sport, explaining that Dembele views Mbappe’s remarks as a personal betrayal. Rothen said, "Dembélé took it very badly, that's certain, he is very angry with Kylian Mbappé. It is a form of betrayal for him. The words are strong but that is exactly how he takes it." Reports suggest Mbappe did not expect such a reaction.
Division Spreads Across the Squad
The divide isn't limited to Dembele. Several players have grown frustrated with Mbappe’s focus on individual accolades, which seems to erode team unity. Rothen noted, "I am told many French players don’t understand his statements, and many align more with Dembele than Mbappe. It's the same team, but now it feels like there are two." This tension comes as the squad prepares for upcoming fixtures.
Zidane Faces a Difficult Task
Since the incident, Mbappe and Dembele haven’t spoken. New coach Zinedine Zidane will have a challenging job when he names his first squad on Friday. With both stars expected at Clairefontaine for the next international break, Zidane will need to mediate carefully to rebuild harmony in the team.
- Event: Mbappe’s Ballon d’Or remarks cause rift
- Players involved: Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele
- Team: France national team
- Coach: Zinedine Zidane
- Recent match: PSG 1-0 Brest
- Source of tension: Mbappe claiming to be the chosen one; Dembele’s response
- Reported divisions: Two factions in the France squad
- Reaction from pundit: Jerome Rothen describes Dembele's anger as betrayal
