Ousmane Dembele Defends Kylian Mbappe Amid Criticism Ahead of World Cup Opener

Dembele Stands Up for Mbappe

Ousmane Dembele, the forward for France, has come forward to support national team captain Kylian Mbappe, asserting that the backlash against him is "extremely unfair and excessive."

As France prepares for their opening match against Senegal on June 17, the previous year's Ballon d'Or winner expressed his thoughts in an interview with a Spanish outlet, Marca. He noted that some critics have crossed the line in their assessments of Mbappe, who ended the season without any trophies while playing for Real Madrid.

Since his transfer to the Spanish club in 2024 from Paris Saint-Germain, Mbappe has faced intense scrutiny for failing to secure significant titles, including La Liga and the UEFA Champions League. Despite being a top goal scorer, the criticism intensified this year as the team concluded another season without major achievements. The discussions surrounding Mbappe have encompassed his leadership, performance, public appearances, and overall demeanor, which have been under constant examination, even as he represents France, where he played a pivotal role in their 2018 World Cup victory and the 2022 runner-up finish, scoring four goals in two finals.

Unjust Criticism Highlighted

"The criticism directed at him is very, very unfair. Some individuals take it too far when discussing Kylian. He is an extraordinary player and a genuinely good person off the field. The level of criticism is excessive simply because he is Kylian Mbappe. They should not continue to target him over trivial matters, such as how he ties his shoelaces or adjusts his socks... it’s too much. He is still a human being," Dembele stated to Marca, as reported by various sources. "Within the France team, he is excellent; he is a leader," he added. Dembele has formed a strong bond with Mbappe during their time together on the national team and is expected to play a vital role in France's quest for a third star on their jersey in the World Cup.

Paying Tribute to Deschamps and Future Hopes

Dembele also honored their esteemed coach, Didier Deschamps, who is anticipated to step down after more than a decade of leading the team, during which they secured a World Cup and a UEFA Nations League title, along with a runner-up finish in the last World Cup held in Qatar in 2022. The player praised Deschamps as an "exceptional manager" who will "always be remembered as a legend."

Regarding the potential appointment of former French football star Zinedine Zidane as Deschamps' successor, Dembele expressed optimism about Zidane's capabilities to lead the national team effectively. Zidane, a 1998 World Cup champion with France and a successful manager at Real Madrid, has been rumored to take over but has refrained from engaging in discussions while Deschamps remains in charge.

"We hope to see him on the France bench one day," he concluded. "I am confident he would excel in that role," Dembele remarked.