Mbappe's Ballon d'Or Comments Spark Rift in France Squad, Leaving Dembele Feeling Betrayed

Kylian Mbappe's recent statements about the Ballon d'Or have reportedly caused tension among his France teammates. Ousmane Dembele is said to be especially upset, feeling betrayed by the comments. This situation has led to a clear division inside the national team locker room ahead of Zinedine Zidane's first matches as head coach.

Mbappe's Comments Ignite Anger

The mood in the France camp turned sour after an exchange of words between the two stars. Mbappe claimed he was always seen as the favored player and implied Dembele's career was hampered by injuries. Dembele responded sharply following Paris Saint-Germain's 1-0 victory over Brest on Sunday, saying, "I was never the chosen one, I worked hard and was rewarded with a wonderful year with Paris."

L'Equipe reports that this confrontation was the tipping point for Dembele, who has usually stayed quiet despite being annoyed by some of Mbappe’s previous remarks.

Dembele Feels Deeply Betrayed

Ex-player and pundit Jerome Rothen explained that Dembele is very hurt, seeing Mbappe’s words as a personal attack. The frustration comes from Mbappe’s apparent attitude toward his international teammates.

"Dembélé took it very badly, that’s certain; he is very angry with Kylian Mbappé. It feels like a betrayal to him. The words are strong, but that’s exactly how he sees it," Rothen told RMC Sport.

L'Equipe also noted Mbappe was surprised by Dembele’s strong reply.

Squad Splits Into Two Camps

The tension isn’t limited to Dembele alone. Several players seem to be losing patience with their captain, causing a rift where once there was unity. Many feel alienated by Mbappe’s ongoing media focus on individual awards.

"I’m told many players in the French squad don’t understand Mbappe’s statements. They lean more toward team Dembele than team Mbappe. It’s still the same team, but now it seems like two separate groups," Rothen added.

Zidane Faces Immediate Challenge

Reports say Mbappe and Dembele haven’t spoken since the incident, setting a difficult scene for Zidane. As the new manager announces his first squad list, he will need to manage tensions and try to bring the team back together when they meet at Clairefontaine for the upcoming international break.