Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele’s battle for the 2026 Ballon d’Or has created unexpected tension between two longtime friends, with concerns growing that the disagreement could spill into the France dressing room.
The two forwards are among the leading contenders for this year’s individual prize, but comments made in separate interviews have sparked suggestions of a growing rift between the French stars.
Mbappe makes Ballon d’Or claim
Mbappe, who has scored 93 goals in just over two seasons with Real Madrid, appeared to put himself ahead of Dembele when discussing his chances of winning the award.
In an interview with France Football, the Real Madrid forward said: “There was no one better than me last season.”
Dembele, who won the 2025 Ballon d’Or after a remarkable campaign with Paris Saint-Germain, gave his own assessment in an interview published the following day.
The PSG star said: “I was better in the decisive moments, very clearly. And that matters. It’s the primary criterion, isn’t it?”
The comments came against the backdrop of an already competitive Ballon d’Or race that also included Barcelona teenager Lamine Yamal, Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane and former winner Rodri.
Mbappe’s comments spark tension
The disagreement appeared to go beyond their competing claims for the award after Mbappe discussed the different paths the two players had taken during their careers.
Mbappe described himself as someone who had been viewed as “the chosen one” from an early stage, while suggesting Dembele had taken a more difficult route because of injuries.
“He was always seen as a talented player,” Mbappe said. “I, on the other hand, was always seen as the chosen one. I reached the top right away, very quickly. Ousmane had a different trajectory, marked by injuries, but he has managed to make up for it!”
The comments reportedly did not sit well with Dembele, with former France international Jerome Rothen claiming the PSG forward “took it very badly” and was “angry” with Mbappe.
Rothen also suggested the issue could have wider consequences for France, claiming some members of the national team were more sympathetic towards Dembele.
“I’m told that there are many players on the French national team who, once again, don’t understand all his statements, that they are more on Dembélé’s side than on Mbappé’s, and yet it’s the same team, but apparently now there are two factions.”
Dembele responds publicly
Dembele is generally reluctant to respond publicly to comments surrounding him, but he appeared to address the situation after PSG’s victory over Brest.
“I’ve always been at the back of the class working hard,” he said. “Throughout my entire career I haven’t said a word; I’ve worked incredibly hard. I was never seen as the chosen one, but I worked hard and last year I was rewarded with a fantastic season at PSG. Now, this year, we’ll see: no pressure, just taking it easy.”
Although Dembele did not directly mention Mbappe, the timing of the comments made them appear to be a response to the Real Madrid forward’s assessment of his career.
According to L’Équipe, Mbappe was surprised by Dembele’s remarks and was not expected to continue the public exchange.
Why the situation matters for France
The disagreement could become more significant because both players remain key figures for the French national team.
Mbappe and Dembele have known each other since their teenage years and have also been teammates at international level, making the reported tension particularly noteworthy.
France will soon reunite under new manager Zinedine Zidane, who will have the task of managing the situation before it develops into a wider dressing-room issue.
Rothen warned that tensions could become more obvious when the two players meet at the next France camp, while also pointing to previous criticism surrounding Mbappe’s behaviour and public comments.
For France, keeping the two stars focused will be crucial as the team looks towards future international competitions.
What happens next?
The Ballon d’Or rivalry is unlikely to disappear while Mbappe and Dembele remain among the leading candidates for the award, but the situation does not yet appear to have reached a serious breaking point.
L’Équipe suggested that the situation should not be overinterpreted at this stage, although a direct conversation between the two players could be necessary to clear the air.
Zidane will therefore face an early test of his man-management skills when he brings the France squad together.
With Mbappe and Dembele expected to remain central figures for the national team, resolving any tension quickly could be just as important as determining who ultimately wins the Ballon d’Or.
