Overview
- Kylian Mbappé told France Football he had long been seen as “the chosen one,” prompting a reaction from team-mate Ousmane Dembélé.
- Dembélé, speaking after PSG’s 1-0 win at Brest on Sunday, said he was “never the chosen one” and stressed that hard work earned his 2025 Ballon d’Or.
- Several pundits and French reports say Dembélé’s reply has left him upset and has raised concerns about factional lines forming inside Les Bleus.
- L'Équipe reported that Mbappé was surprised by the response and does not plan to reply publicly, and multiple outlets say Zidane is expected to seek a private resolution at Clairefontaine.
- The row is now part of the narrative around the 2026 Ballon d'Or race, which closes before the ceremony on October 26, and could shape voters’ and teammates’ perceptions of both players.