Ousmane Dembele Defends Kylian Mbappe as France Gears Up for FIFA World Cup 2026

The reigning Ballon d'Or and The Best FIFA Men's Player winner has thrown his support behind France captain Kylian Mbappé as Les Bleus prepare for a World Cup campaign in which they are considered among the favorites to lift the trophy.

With France’s FIFA World Cup 2026 opener fast approaching, Ousmane Dembélé has publicly come to the defense of teammate and captain Kylian Mbappé amid the growing criticism directed at the French superstar in recent months.

The Paris Saint-Germain forward argued that the scrutiny surrounding Mbappé has gone far beyond football and believes expectations placed on one of the game’s biggest stars have become excessive.

DEMBÉLÉ CALLS CRITICISM OF MBAPPÉ UNFAIR

In an interview with Spanish newspaper Marca, Dembélé said much of the criticism aimed at Mbappé has been exaggerated and that the Real Madrid forward has become a constant target for public opinion.

The French winger praised both Mbappé’s footballing ability and character, highlighting the close relationship the two have built over the years.

“People have been very unfair to him. The criticism of Kylian goes too far because he’s an incredible player. He’s also a great person off the pitch because I’ve known him for a long time. Sometimes the criticism becomes excessive simply because he’s Kylian Mbappé. There’s no need to be so harsh on him.”

Dembélé also pointed out that virtually every aspect of Mbappé’s behavior is scrutinized, regardless of his performances on the field.

“Whether he ties his boots or not, whether he pulls up his socks or not—it’s too much. He’s still a human being, and he’s a player of exceptional quality. Here with the French national team, he gets along very well with everyone. He’s a leader, our captain, and a very important player.”

FRANCE RALLIES AROUND ITS CAPTAIN

Dembélé’s comments come at a crucial moment as France prepares to begin its World Cup campaign with Mbappé once again serving as the focal point of the attack.

His support reflects a broader sentiment within the French camp, where teammates and staff have consistently emphasized Mbappé’s leadership and influence in the dressing room.

Rather than fueling controversy, Dembélé made it clear that Mbappé remains central to France’s ambitions on the world stage. The message from the reigning Ballon d’Or winner was straightforward: behind the global superstar is an elite footballer and a person who deserves to be judged by his performances—not by the constant noise that often surrounds the biggest names in the sport.