PSG Forward Ousmane Dembele and Kylian Mbappe's Rift Continues

In the summer of 2023, in what feels like a very long time ago now, the arrival of Ousmane Dembele at PSG very much excited then forward and talisman Kylian Mbappe.

The two had been team mates in the France national team for six years together by that point, winning the FIFA World Cup together back in 2018, so the idea of playing together at club level must have been exciting.

When PSG had made the signing of Dembele, Mbappe was actually part of the “bomb squad” with several other players whose future appeared away from the Parc Des Princes. Soon after, he was reintegrated into the first team, coincidentally or otherwise.

Although they only played together in the French capital for one season, as Mbappe embarked on a new adventure with Real Madrid, they continue to play together with Les Blues, and linked up very well together at this summer’s World Cup.

However, despite their long history together, the two appeared to have a falling out in recent months. It would appear this stemmed from comments Mbappe made in the build up to the Ballon d’Or, where he said when asked about Dembele: “He has always been seen as a talented player; I have always been seen as the chosen one.”

This did not appear to go down well with the 24/25 Ballon d’Or winner, who said: “I have always been at the back of the class, working hard. In my whole career, I haven’t said a word.

I have worked a lot. As I said, I was never the chosen one, but I worked and, last year, I was rewarded for a fantastic year with PSG, and this year, we will see, without pressure, calm.”

Ironically enough, whilst the two of them were sat in the front row at this year’s Ballon d’Or ceremony, which Mbappe failed to win, finishing second to Harry Kane, their international colleague Michael Olise was sat in the middle of them to help ease tensions and awkwardness. 

Well, according to a report from French media outlet L’Equipe, this rift has caused tension in the France national team camp, ahead of their UEFA Nations League ties with Italy and Turkey this week, despite the fact that Dembele is missing the camp through injury.

They state that during the previous international break (which came pretty soon after the back and forth), Mbappe even “appeared more isolated and less at ease” than usual, “baffled” by his compatriot’s reaction (to the comments) deeming them “disproportionate”.

Ultimately, this falling out (which we can probably call it now) has created an uncomfortable atmosphere in national team camp, despite Dembele’s absence from this squad. They state that the PSG forward is reportedly taking every opportunity to take a dig at his counterpart.

Interesting stuff. It does get to a point with Mbappe where you do wonder if he is the common denominator. He has fallen out with several players in the past, whilst the same cannot be said about Dembele. Makes you think.