Ousmane Dembélé has settled the debate regarding any rift with compatriot Kylian Mbappé over the competition for the 2026 Ballon d'Or, confirming that their relationship is not experiencing any crisis.
Speculation has intensified following Mbappé's comments in an interview with "France Football", where he spoke about his career compared to Dembélé's, stating that he was seen early on as the "chosen one", while Dembélé was viewed merely as a talented player.
Dembélé has responded to those statements, confirming that he was not the 'chosen one' and that he worked hard to win the Ballon d'Or after the exceptional season he had with Paris Saint-Germain.
As the French national team camp begins under Zinedine Zidane, discussions about the relationship between the two stars have resurfaced, especially since they are competing for the same award. However, Kylian Mbappé confirmed earlier that he spoke with Ousmane Dembélé and stated that "there are no tensions" between them, noting that the latter is a friend of his.
Ousmane Dembélé addressed rumors regarding his relationship with Kylian Mbappé during a press conference ahead of the match against Italy in the Nations League: "Is there a disagreement between you and Mbappé? No, nothing of the sort. As I mentioned, all these rumors I do not wish to comment on. They are just superficial squabbles on social media. At 29 years old, I do not have time for such matters, and my full focus is on what is important, which is what I deliver on the pitch."
Kylian Mbappé has clarified before the start of the France national team camp that he has indeed spoken with Ousmane Dembélé, confirming that there is no conflict between them, while speculation continues about the nature of their relationship amid the competition for the Ballon d'Or.
However, according to reports from those close to Dembélé, the player's camp is surprised by Mbappé's statements, as they pointed out that there had been no direct communication between the two before their arrival at the Clairefontaine centre, except for one message from Mbappé which they said went unanswered.
According to this account, the rift between the stars remains, despite public statements that have come out to confirm there is no crisis between them.
