Overview
- Ousmane Dembele told Marca on Friday that criticism of Kylian Mbappé has gone too far and is often personal rather than about his play.
- Dembele singled out minor details used against Mbappé, saying fans and media obsess over things like his shoelaces and socks.
- The winger stressed that Mbappé remains a leader and the France captain who gets on well with team-mates and is central to Les Bleus' plans.
- Reports from the season say Mbappé faced booing at the Santiago Bernabéu and an online petition calling for his sale, even as he finished with strong individual numbers.
- Dembele's public defence could ease internal tensions and shift focus back to France's World Cup campaign, which begins with a Group I opener against Senegal on June 16.