Mbappe’s Ballon d’Or Comments Ignite Rift in France Squad, Dembele Feels Betrayed

Kylian Mbappe has stirred tension within the France national squad following his recent comments about the Ballon d’Or. The fallout has reportedly left Ousmane Dembele feeling deeply betrayed, sparking the emergence of two opposing factions ahead of Zinedine Zidane’s debut matches as head coach.

Comments That Sparked Anger

The mood in the France camp has grown strained after Mbappe publicly stated he was always seen as the favored player, contrasting with Dembele’s career struggles attributed to injuries. After Paris Saint-Germain’s narrow 1-0 win over Brest, Dembele responded sharply: "I was never the chosen one, I worked hard and earned a fantastic year at Paris." According to L’Equipe, this exchange marked a breaking point for Dembele, who had previously stayed quiet despite irritation over some of Mbappe’s past remarks.

Dembele’s Sense of Betrayal

Former footballer and analyst Jerome Rothen shared insights on RMC Sport, revealing Dembele is extremely upset by the situation, interpreting Mbappe’s words as a personal attack. Rothen said, "Dembélé took it very badly, that’s for sure, and he is furious with Kylian Mbappé. It feels like a betrayal to him. The words are harsh but that’s exactly how he sees it." Reports also indicate Mbappe did not expect such a strong response.

Squad Divided Into Two Camps

Dembele isn’t alone in his frustration; other members of the national team are reportedly tired of Mbappe’s ongoing focus on individual accolades. The solidarity that once united the squad now seems fractured, with players aligning themselves into two distinct groups. Rothen highlighted the divide, saying, "I’ve heard many in the French team don’t understand his repeated statements. Some are more aligned with Dembele than Mbappe, even though they’re part of the same team. It’s like there are two teams now."

Zidane Faces a Delicate Task

Since the incident, it appears Mbappe and Dembele haven’t spoken, creating a tense atmosphere ahead of the upcoming international break. As Zinedine Zidane announces his first squad selections, he will need to manage delicate peace talks when both stars arrive at Clairefontaine to restore unity within the team.

• Team: France National Team
• Players Involved: Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele
• Coach: Zinedine Zidane
• Recent Match Result: PSG 1-0 Brest
• Source of Fallout: Mbappe’s Ballon d’Or comments