Ousmane Dembele denies Kylian Mbappe rift ahead of Italy clash
Ousmane Dembele has dismissed suggestions of a strained relationship with Kylian Mbappe, saying the France teammates remain on good terms as the national side prepare to face Italy in the UEFA Nations League on Friday.
Questions over the pair’s friendship followed comments made around this year’s Ballon d’Or discussion, with Mbappe reflecting on the different expectations placed on the two forwards during their careers. Dembele then spoke of having progressed through hard work rather than being regarded as football’s obvious chosen talent, pointing to his strong season with Paris Saint-Germain as the reward for that approach.
At France’s latest camp, however, Dembele made clear there had been no breakdown between the players. He said they had spoken and sit beside one another at the team table, insisting there was no issue between them despite the attention given to their respective interviews.
The 29-year-old was unwilling to add further fuel to the debate, describing the online discussion as minor social-media noise. Dembele said his focus was on matters on the pitch rather than responding to every story surrounding the France squad.
Mbappe’s absence could leave Dembele in contention to captain France against Italy, in a fixture that will also mark Zinedine Zidane’s first match in charge. The match begins a new chapter for the national team, while both Dembele and Mbappe will have an opportunity to make their cases through their performances before the Ballon d’Or ceremony in London later this month.
