Mbappé bets on the Ballon d’Or, Dembélé calls for discretion
France Nouvelles reports that the Mbappé-Dembélé clash continues to generate talk, pitting Kylian Mbappé's declared ambition for the 2026 Ballon d’Or against the low‑key desire of Ousmane Dembélé, who prefers to back PSG teammate Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and the many statements of the Bondy native that have not appealed to everyone.
The race for the 2026 Ballon d’Or has sparked tensions between the two forwards. Mbappé fully embraces his ambitions, while Dembélé prefers to stay in the background and promotes the candidacy of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, a young PSG prospect.
"Throughout my career, I haven't said a word, I've worked enormously. As I've said, I've never been the chosen one, but I've worked, and last year I was rewarded with a fantastic season with Paris‑SG, and now, this year, we'll see, without pressure, calm," Dembélé said, highlighting his low‑key role.
Mbappé tries to calm the game
Mbappé took the initiative by stating that there was no tension. "I've already talked about it with him, there are no tensions, I think there really aren't any problems about it, I'm really very calm. After a Nations League period and with the France team, you always have to find a debate and I think this one is well placed," the player said on Monday.
Flu stops Mbappé from training, Nations League crucial
Despite these words, several media outlets indicated that a chill had settled between the two men. Gathered at Clairefontaine, where they usually maintain a close relationship, Real Madrid contacted his national team teammate; according to Le Parisien, Mbappé would have been the initiator of the discussion to ease the situation.
Marcus Thuram, discreet mediator
The same article cites Marcus Thuram as an additional actor in the reconciliation. Present in a WhatsApp group with Mbappé and Dembélé, the Inter Milan striker is said to have helped calm spirits, playing the role of a discreet mediator.
The two French internationals have thus settled their differences privately, deciding not to let the Ballon d’Or rivalry disrupt the gathering of the Bleus. They can now fully focus on the upcoming fixtures with the France team.
Thus, on one hand the individual competition for the Ballon d’Or persists, on the other a renewed cooperation within the group, showing that personal ambitions can coexist with national unity.