Dembélé Hits Back at Mbappé Over 'Chosen One' Remark

Ousmane Dembélé hit back at Kylian Mbappé on Sunday night, without naming him, after the France captain suggested he had always been viewed as football's "chosen one" while Dembélé was merely "talented".

The remark came in an interview with France Football, published on Saturday, in which Mbappé assessed his own case for the 2026 Ballon d'Or. "Dembélé? He was always seen as a talented player. I, on the other hand, was always viewed as the chosen one. I reached the top right away, very early. Ousmane had a different trajectory, marked by injuries, but he has managed to bounce back," Mbappé said, adding of his own season: "There isn't a single player who had a better season than me."

Dembélé is the reigning Ballon d'Or holder. After PSG's 1-0 win over Brest on Sunday, he was asked about the award and, by all accounts, made sure the question came his way — RMC Sport reported that it was PSG and the player himself who pushed for the Ballon d'Or to be raised in his Ligue 1 Plus interview.

L'Équipe understands Mbappé has been left somewhat surprised by the response. Those close to Dembélé, the same reporting suggests, were not pleased with the "chosen one" framing in the first place, despite the pair's long friendship dating back to their time together at Paris Saint-Germain.

The two Frenchmen are among the leading candidates for the award, to be handed out in London on 26 October, alongside Barcelona's Lamine Yamal, who arrives with the World Cup and LaLiga title on his record. Dembélé's case rests chiefly on retaining the Champions League with PSG; his World Cup was, by common consent, unremarkable. Mbappé, now 27 at Real Madrid, has never won the Ballon d'Or despite being tipped for it since his teenage years.

Dembélé said the outcome of this year's vote would not change his approach. Should the needle between the two swing further before London, PSG's dressing room may have to manage more than just a fight for a trophy.