PSG Star Ousmane Dembele Gives Kylian Mbappe Thigh Injury Update

The reunion between Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé was anticipated and was rather warm on Monday night at the 2026 Ballon d'Or ceremony.

PSG's number 10 even shared a bit of a revelation with his national team captain about his recent injury.

Longtime friends Dembélé and Mbappé have squabbled in recent weeks over the 2026 Ballon d'Or race and the Madrid player's rather aggressive communication.

Reunited with the French national team last month, the two internationals spent only a few days together, as Mbappé was injured in Turkey in the first match before withdrawing from the rest of the camp.

On Monday, Oct. 26, 2026, in London, the two Ballon d'Or contenders met, hoping to win the France Football trophy. The ceremony organizers filmed the two men's warm embrace. The brief exchange let Dembélé update his compatriot on his recent thigh injury.

"Two weeks, two and a half weeks," the 2025 Ballon d'Or winner told Mbappé, who asked how long he would be off the field. This confidence confirms what leaked last week when he was injured against Barça: an estimated three-week absence.

Dembélé and Mbappé, who were almost seated next to each other during the ceremony (Michael Olise was between them), were also scrutinized when the 2026 Ballon d'Or winner was announced, ultimately awarded to Harry Kane.

The English Bayern Munich striker narrowly beat the Real Madrid forward, and Dembélé's reaction sparked a flurry of social media responses.

If this potential absence is officially confirmed, Dembélé will most likely return to action in late November or early December.

PSG's final two matches in November are scheduled for November 25 against Roma in the Champions League and November 28 against Lorient in Ligue 1.

Meanwhile, their first December fixtures are on December 4 against Toulouse in Ligue 1 and December 8 against Aston Villa in the Champions League.

However, if he is sidelined for only two weeks, Dembélé could return sooner.

That said, it is difficult to imagine Luis Enrique and the club's medical staff clearing him to play immediately after he recovers, as Dembélé is particularly injury-prone. PSG have consistently taken a responsible and cautious approach to his fitness.

That is why, despite suffering various injuries since arriving in the French capital, PSG may be the club where Dembélé has been least injured throughout his career. This approach has helped keep him available for the most important moments, allowing him to enjoy a historic 2024-25 season in which he even won the Ballon d'Or.