Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé’s relationship ‘frosty’ following recent back-and-forth in the media

Ousmane Dembélé’s comments to Ligue 1 Plus alluded to growing tensions with international teammate Kylian Mbappé. Those suspicions may have been confirmed in recent days, with observers noting a distance between the two players, who were previously very close.

The source of the disagreement pertains to comments made about this year’s edition of the Ballon d’Or. Both Mbappé and Dembélé have been nominated for this year’s Ballon d’Or, which will be awarded in London next month. The latter currently holds the title, whilst the former is a player who was always expected to win the award. However, at the age of 27, the Real Madrid forward has yet to do so.

Mbappé is optimistic about his chances of winning the trophy this year. Speaking to France Football, Les Bleus’ captain was asked about Dembélé and responded: “He has always been seen as a talented player; I have always been seen as the chosen one.”

Dembélé used an interview with Ligue 1 Plus to respond to his former Paris Saint-Germain teammate. “I have always been at the back of the class, working hard. In my whole career, I haven’t said a word. I have worked a lot. As I said, I was never the chosen one, but I worked and, last year, I was rewarded for a fantastic year with PSG, and this year, we will see, without pressure, calm,” said the PSG forward.

Mbappé, speaking earlier this week, downplayed any reported tension, but as per RMC Sport, witnesses within the France squad at Clairefontaine have noticed a distance between the two players, even if both remain professional. The relationship is currently described as “frosty”, and whilst there is no clear “clash” between the pair, the relationship has certainly changed.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle