Dembélé: No Issue with Mbappé

Paris, AFP – French national team striker Ousmane Dembele confirmed on Thursday that there is “no problem” with captain Kylian Mbappé, following indirect remarks exchanged by the two players via the media regarding the Ballon d’Or.

Dembele, the 2025 award winner, said at a press conference on the eve of France’s UEFA Nations League match against Italy at the Stade de France: “We have spoken. We are side by side at the table. There are no issues.” However, the Paris Saint-Germain player declined to comment on the core of the matter.

He clarified: “I don’t comment on all these things, and I don’t want to. They are minor battles on social media. At 29 years old, I really have no interest in this. I am focused on what matters, which is the pitch.”

Mbappé, the Real Madrid star, had also calmed tensions on September 21 during an interview with the French newspaper L’Equipe, stating that there was “no tension.”

The controversy began with Mbappé’s comments to France Football, the magazine that organizes the award, published on September 11.

Mbappé made somewhat sharp remarks about the Ballon d’Or, considering himself one of the favorites for the highest individual honor, to be awarded on October 26 in London, even if it meant criticizing Dembele without naming him.