Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele are both chasing the 2026 Ballon d'Or, and the closer that race gets, the more their public comments seem to be needling each other. What started as separate magazine interviews has turned into talk of a divided France dressing room, just as new manager Zinedine Zidane prepares to bring the squad together for the first time later this month.
Mbappe has scored 93 goals in a little over two seasons at Real Madrid and became the World Cup's all-time leading scorer this past summer, though he's still without a trophy at the club and fell short with France on the global stage. Dembele, the reigning Ballon d'Or holder from 2025, has since become a back-to-back Champions League winner with PSG, even if his form hasn't hit the same heights as his award-winning campaign. Lamine Yamal, Harry Kane and Rodri remain firmly in the conversation too, but it's the France pair drawing the headlines.
Mbappe vs Dembele: Who Said What?
In an interview published by France Football, Mbappe said: "There was no one better than me last season." A day later, in an interview recorded before Mbappe's aired, Dembele responded: "I was better in the decisive moments, very clearly. And that matters. It's the primary criterion, isn't it?"
The real spark, though, came from Mbappe's description of their contrasting paths to the top. "He was always seen as a talented player," Mbappe said of Dembele. "I, on the other hand, was always seen as the chosen one. I reached the top right away, very quickly. Ousmane had a different trajectory, marked by injuries, but he has managed to make up for it!"
'Took It Very Badly' -- Reports of a Split Locker Room
Former France winger Jerome Rothen, who now hosts his own show on RMC Sports, claims Dembele "took it very badly" and is even "angry" with Mbappe. "For him, it's a form of betrayal. The words are strong, but that's exactly how he sees it ... and it's not just him. It's everyone around Ousmane, the people who are with him in the PSG dressing room. His teammates from the French national team are also upset," Rothen said.
He went further, claiming: "I'm told that there are many players on the French national team who, once again, don't understand all his statements, that they are more on Dembele's side than on Mbappe's, and yet it's the same team, but apparently now there are two factions."
Rothen predicted the "walls will shake a little" when the pair are reunited at France's upcoming camp, describing Dembele as the more "conciliatory" of the two and suggesting he's previously played peacemaker in the squad. He also pointed to a history of "problems with Mbappe's behavior and statements," adding: "He has alienated many people within the French national team. The World Cup unfolded as it did, so it's true that when you finish as top scorer and have exemplary behavior, as was the case with Kylian at the World Cup, it somewhat mitigates all the criticism within the group. But these kinds of statements will hurt him."
Dembele Breaks His Usual Silence
Dembele rarely responds publicly to this kind of talk, but he gave an interview to Ligue 1+ after PSG's win over Brest and offered pointed remarks without naming Mbappe directly. "I've always been at the back of the class working hard," he said. "Throughout my entire career I haven't said a word; I've worked incredibly hard. I was never seen as the chosen one, but I worked hard and last year I was rewarded with a fantastic season at PSG. Now, this year, we'll see: no pressure, just taking it easy."
According to L'Equipe, Mbappe was surprised by the comments and plans not to respond further.
Former France international Christophe Dugarry, speaking on Rothen's show, framed Dembele as the "anti-star" of the pair given his winding route through Barcelona before things clicked into gear for him. "I remember when Dembele was at Barcelona, he couldn't get up in the morning to go to training because he was playing PlayStation," Dugarry said. "Come on! Dembele is the anti-star, and he shines because of that. He has the mentality of the anti-star. These are two visions of soccer. Two different footballing styles clashing. Two different personalities."
L'Equipe cautions that things "shouldn't be overinterpreted at this stage," while adding that it's "reasonable to think that a conversation between the two will be necessary" once France's squad gathers for its camp next week.
