Dembélé defends Mbappé and criticizes excessive charges in pre-World Cup France
French striker Ousmane Dembélé came to the defense of Kylian Mbappé and stated that the criticism directed at the French national team captain had become exaggerated on the eve of the World Cup.
In an interview with Spanish newspaper Marca, Dembélé, who gained prominence in the French team and is competing for the Ballon d'Or award after helping Paris Saint-Germain win the Champions League, stated that some of the comments about Mbappé went beyond the limit.
"The criticisms against him are very, very unfair. Some people are a little off the mark when criticizing Kylian," said Dembélé.
Mbappé remains one of the most watched players in French football since leaving PSG and moving to Real Madrid in 2024.
Despite maintaining a high goal average, the striker was the target of charges after a season in which Real Madrid finished without La Liga and Champions League titles. Furthermore, some fans and commentators have questioned his leadership of the French national team since assuming the captain's belt following Hugo Lloris' international retirement.
Mbappé's performances, interviews and even small details of his behavior tend to generate great repercussions in France.
"He's an incredible player and a very good person off the field. Some people exaggerate their criticism because he's Kylian Mbappé. They shouldn't continue attacking him. Whether he ties his shoes or not, whether he pulls up his sock or not... it's too much. He's still a human being," said Dembélé.
The PSG striker also highlighted Mbappé's role within the French squad.
"With the national team, he is very good with all of us, he is a leader."
The two players have built a close relationship over the years with France and should play important roles in the country's quest for the country's third world title, in the World Cup that will be played in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Dembélé also took the opportunity to praise coach Didier Deschamps, who announced that he will leave command of the national team after the World Cup, after more than a decade in charge.
"He is simply an exceptional coach. He will forever be a legend among the coaches of the French national team," he said.
Deschamps led France to the 2018 World Cup title and also led the team to the final of the tournament in 2022. Asked about the possibility of Zinedine Zidane taking over the national team after the coach's departure, Dembélé approved the idea.
"We hope to welcome him to the French bank one day. I'm sure he would do a fantastic job."
Zidane, world champion as a player in 1998 and winner of several titles as coach of Real Madrid, has been touted for years as a possible successor to Deschamps, but has avoided talking about the role while the current coach remains in charge.
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Source: CNN