Dembélé and Mbappé: Zidane faces first potential crisis in France national team

Zinedine Zidane, the new head coach of the France national team, may face his first sensitive situation in the dressing room as signs of potential tension have emerged between stars Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé, stemming from the competition for the Ballon d'Or award for 2026.

Kylian Mbappé spoke in a lengthy interview with 'France Football' about his chances of winning the award, before discussing Ousmane Dembélé, his former teammate at Paris Saint-Germain and current partner in the French national team, saying: "But Dembélé has always been considered a talented player, while I have always been seen as the chosen one."

Days after Kylian Mbappé's statements, Ousmane Dembélé responded indirectly following Paris Saint-Germain's victory over Brest on Sunday evening, saying: "I have always been like this, at the end of the chapter I work hard. Throughout my career, I have never said a word, but I have worked a lot. As I said, I have never been the chosen player, but I have worked very hard. Last year I was rewarded for a great season with Paris Saint-Germain, and this year we will see. Without pressure, and calmly."

Analyst Walid Ashrashour believes Ousmane Dembélé's response was significant, warning of potential repercussions on the players' relationships within the France national team. He stated on the "After Foot" program: "Dembélé is with Kylian Mbappé in the France national team, you will see that we will talk about this matter in the coming days. I am convinced that Dembélé may have taken Mbappé's comments personally. What Ousmane did tonight, when he reused the same phrase that Kylian Mbappé said, is not a trivial matter."

The players have 'changed their status' in recent years, making their relationship one to watch, especially with the first gathering of the French national team under Zidane approaching. The competition for the Ballon d'Or remains at the forefront, after Dembélé won the award in the previous edition, while Mbappé aims to claim it for the first time.