Mbappe's Ballon d'Or Comments Ignite Rift in France Squad, Dembele Left Feeling Betrayed

Mbappe's Remarks Create Tension Within France Team

Kylian Mbappe's recent comments about the Ballon d'Or have caused a split among his France teammates. Ousmane Dembele is said to be especially upset, seeing Mbappe’s words as a betrayal. This tension has led to two distinct factions forming inside the national squad ahead of Zinedine Zidane's first matches as coach.

Comments That Sparked Anger

The mood inside the France camp has soured after a public exchange between the two stars. Mbappe claimed he was always seen as the chosen one and implied Dembele’s career was affected by injuries. After Paris Saint-Germain’s 1-0 victory over Brest, Dembele fired back: "I was never the chosen one, I worked hard and had a great year with Paris." According to L'Equipe, this response marked a breaking point for Dembele, who usually stays quiet despite feeling irritated by some of Mbappe’s past remarks.

Dembele Feels Deeply Betrayed

Former player and pundit Jerome Rothen shared that Dembele is very hurt by the situation and sees Mbappe's statements as a personal insult. Rothen told RMC Sport: "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."L'Equipe also noted Mbappe was surprised by Dembele's strong reaction.

A Divided Dressing Room

Frustration has spread beyond Dembele, with other players reportedly losing patience with their captain. The unity that once held the squad together now seems to be breaking down into opposing camps. Some players feel confused and alienated by Mbappe’s continued focus on individual awards.

Rothen added: "I hear many players in the French team don’t understand all his statements again, and many lean more towards Dembele than Mbappe. It's the same team but feels like two separate groups now."

Zidane Faces a Tough Task

Reports suggest Mbappe and Dembele haven't spoken since the incident. As Zinedine Zidane prepares to announce his first squad list on Friday, he will have to manage a difficult atmosphere. When the players meet at Clairefontaine for the international break, Zidane must work quickly to mend fences and bring peace back to the locker room.