Kylian Mbappé, a 27-year-old striker, dominates all Real Madrid news due to his candidacy for the Ballon d’Or – causing tension with Ousmane Dembélé just weeks before the ceremony. As Jérôme Rothen explained on RMC Sport, the Paris Saint-Germain striker took his French national team colleague’s words very badly, believing they crossed a line in their relationship.
Kylian Mbappé’s words that upset Ousmane Dembélé
Arsenal have more “luxury problems” than problems – this smells like titles!
The origin of the conflict lies in the interview Kylian Mbappé gave to France Football. While discussing his candidacy and comparing himself to Ousmane Dembélé, the Real Madrid striker stressed that from a young age his career was shaped by different expectations than those that followed the PSG player.
Dembélé’s public response came after Paris Saint-Germain’s win against Brest. The 29-year-old defended his career through hard work, noting that he never felt destined to receive accolades – a response that in France was interpreted as a direct response to Mbappé.
Rothen then escalated the tension by stating that Dembélé is very upset with his national team colleague. The former player explained that he had spoken to people close to the dressing room, revealing that the dissatisfaction does not only apply to the PSG striker, but also to parts of his social circle and other French internationals. This narrative comes from the RMC Sport commentator and not from an official statement from the two players or the French federation.
The French national team dressing room in the spotlight
The most delicate aspect of the situation involves the national team. Jérôme Rothen stated that several players did not understand Kylian Mbappé’s recent remarks, indicating greater support for Dembélé in the group. He also noted that the behaviour and some public statements by the French captain had caused discomfort in the past.
This turbulence coincides with the Ballon d’Or match, with the ceremony scheduled for October 26 in London. Dembélé defends the award he won in 2025, while Mbappé asserts his candidacy after his performance last season with 25 goals in LaLiga, 15 in the Champions League and as the all-time top scorer in World Cup history with 22 goals.
The Real Madrid striker’s sporting moments also keep him in the spotlight: he scored two goals against Rayo Vallecano on September 12 and reached 7 goals in 6 games at the start of the season. Paris Saint-Germain, on the other hand, boasts nine players among the 30 Ballon d’Or nominees after winning five titles in the 2025/26 season.
Next meeting between Kylian Mbappé and Dembélé already scheduled
The tension will soon unfold in a communal setting. Zinedine Zidane announces his first squad as France’s head coach on September 18, and Les Bleus kick off the UEFA Nations League against Turkey on September 25. If both are called up, Kylian Mbappé and Dembélé will reunite in the dressing room just days after the remarks that Rothen says have strained their relationship.
Read on Radiosporten: Portuguese media: Convinced Andreas Schjelderup will soon disappear to the Premier League or La Liga
