Ousmane Dembélé is reportedly unhappy with Kylian Mbappé after his recent Ballon d’Or comments, with claims that some France players are now taking sides.
France dressing room reportedly divided as Dembélé feels betrayed by Mbappé
Tension is reportedly growing between Ousmane Dembélé and Kylian Mbappé after comments from the Real Madrid star caused controversy inside the France camp.

According to former France international Jérôme Rothen, Dembélé is very unhappy with Mbappé and feels that some of his recent comments were a form of betrayal.
The situation has also reportedly created tension among other France players.
However, there is an important clarification.
Neither Dembélé, Mbappé nor the French Football Federation has officially confirmed that the dressing room is divided.
Mbappé’s comments start the controversy
The tension reportedly began after Mbappé spoke about his career and his position in world football.
While discussing the different paths taken by himself and Dembélé, Mbappé said that Dembélé had always been seen as a very talented player.

But he described his own situation differently.
Mbappé said he had always been seen as “the chosen one.”
The comment quickly attracted attention in France.
Dembélé gives a clear response
Dembélé later appeared to respond to Mbappé’s words.
After a PSG match, he was asked about his own career and Ballon d’Or ambitions.
Dembélé said: “I was never the chosen one.”

He then spoke about the hard work, injuries and difficult moments he had gone through before reaching the top level.
The timing of the comment made many believe it was a direct response to Mbappé.
Rothen claims Dembélé feels betrayed
Jérôme Rothen later gave a much stronger update on the situation.
According to Rothen, Dembélé was very angry about Mbappé’s recent comments.
He described the feeling around Dembélé’s side as a “form of betrayal.”

Rothen also claimed that people close to Dembélé did not understand why Mbappé had spoken in that way.
The issue is therefore believed to be bigger than one simple comment.
Are there now two sides inside France?
Rothen also made another major claim.
He suggested that some France players are more supportive of Dembélé than Mbappé.
According to him, there may currently be more players on “Team Dembélé” than “Team Mbappé.”

He even suggested the dressing room now feels as if there are two different groups.
That is a serious claim, but it should still be treated carefully.
There has been no official confirmation of two separate camps inside the France team.
Ballon d’Or battle adds more tension
The Ballon d’Or race is also an important part of the story.
Mbappé has recently spoken very confidently about his own season.
He believes no player performed better than him individually.
Dembélé, meanwhile, is the defending Ballon d’Or winner and remains one of the biggest names in the conversation.
That means both players are competing for status at the same time.
What was once a strong friendship may now be under pressure from individual ambitions.
Mbappé and Dembélé were previously close
The reports are especially surprising because the two players have usually had a good relationship.
During the 2026 World Cup, Mbappé and Dembélé were regularly seen together around the France camp.
They were considered part of a close group inside the squad.

At the time, France officials rejected suggestions that the dressing room was divided.
That makes the latest reports even more surprising.
Dembélé seen as a popular figure in the squad
Rothen also claimed that Dembélé has strong support from other France players.
He described the PSG star as a player who is good at bringing different groups together.
According to Rothen, Dembélé may be a more popular figure inside the dressing room than Mbappé.
If true, that could explain why any problem between the two stars may affect the wider squad.
No official confirmation of a split
Despite the strong headlines, the situation still needs to be handled carefully.
Dembélé has not publicly said that Mbappé betrayed him.
Mbappé has not confirmed any problem between them.
France have also not admitted that there are two groups inside the dressing room.
The strongest claims currently come from Rothen and reports based on his information.
France face a major dressing-room test
If the reports are correct, the next France camp could be very important.
Mbappé and Dembélé will have to work together again despite the reported tension.
How they greet each other and behave around the squad will now receive huge attention.
France cannot afford a personal problem between two of their biggest stars to become a bigger team issue.
A Ballon d’Or battle that may be becoming personal
The situation appears to have started with words.
Mbappé called himself “the chosen one.”
Dembélé answered that he never was.
Now reports suggest the relationship between them has become much colder.
There is still no official proof that the France dressing room has completely split.
But if the latest reports are accurate, the Ballon d’Or battle may now be creating a serious problem inside Les Bleus.
And the next meeting between Mbappé and Dembélé could tell us much more about how deep the tension really is.

