Dembele publicly responds to Mbappe: 'I've never been the chosen one'

Ousmane Dembele, the 2026 Ballon d'Or winner, made striking remarks about rival Kylian Mbappe in interviews with Ligue 1+ and France Football. The 28-year-old asserted that he has 'never been the chosen one' in his career, while praising Ferran Torres as 'a true goalscorer'. Dembele stated: 'I was always at the back of the class. In class assignments, I wasn't the chosen one. In football, either. But I learned how to work hard, to learn from mistakes. Many talented people cannot display their abilities because they don't know how to train.' These remarks came amid the 2026 Ballon d'Or race, when France Football unveiled the shortlist featuring prominent names like Lionel Messi, Lamine Yamal, Jude Bellingham, and Vinicius Junior. The award ceremony is scheduled for October 26, 2026, in London. Dembele's response to Mbappe's remarks In France Football's interview, Kylian Mbappe, now at Real Madrid, described Dembele as 'a talented player' and 'someone who knows how to work'. This came as both are France national team teammates and maintain a good relationship. However, Goal.com's article framed this exchange as a 'spicy debate' between two stars. The headline described Dembele 'firing back' at Mbappe, but the actual quotes were quite conciliatory. Dembele added: 'When you work hard, you get opportunities. But you also need luck. I've been very lucky to have good people around me, like teachers, family, friends, and teammates.' PSG in the post-Mbappe era PSG has completely moved past the era of depending on Mbappe. After the 26-year-old left Paris for Real Madrid, Dembele took on the role of new leader for the capital club. In their latest match, PSG edged past Brest 1-0 at home. However, the attack's form remains inconsistent. Dembele's interview acknowledged that the team 'occasionally struggled to find rhythm early in the season'. Regarding Ferran Torres, Dembele said: 'He's a true goalscorer who can also play up front or on the wings. He makes very good runs and is easy to find.' This suggests Dembele is taking on a playmaking role for teammates rather than just scoring himself. Mbappe's congratulation Despite being former PSG teammates, Mbappe still sent congratulations to Dembele after he ascended to Ballon d'Or stardom. They are close friends and have worn France's colors together for many years. Mbappe said: 'Dembele deserves this award. He had an incredible season and I'm very happy for him.' This shows their relationship has no tension as the article might suggest. Dembele's opponents in the 2026 Ballon d'Or race The 2026 Ballon d'Or shortlist includes many outstanding candidates. Lionel Messi, despite being nearly 40, remains a heavy contender after an impressive run with Inter Miami. Lamine Yamal, Barcelona's young star, made strong impressions this season. Jude Bellingham is another prominent contender with his high-level performances at Real Madrid. Vinicius Junior, Mbappe's teammate, is another candidate with his spectacular individual play. This year's race is described as 'very crowded and unpredictable'. Dembele's performance in the 2026-2026 season Dembele had a breakthrough season with PSG. He scored 22 goals and provided 14 assists across all competitions. Notably, he showed consistency in big matches, contributing significantly to PSG's Ligue 1 title. However, many experts believe Dembele's success comes from hard work rather than pure talent. He faced many difficulties in his career, including consecutive injuries and struggles early in his Barcelona tenure. France-Spain rivalry in football The Ballon d'Or debate between Dembele and Mbappe also reflects the rivalry between two top European football nations. France has Dembele, Mbappe, while Spain has Yamal, Rodri, and many other young talents. Significantly, both players affirmed their good relationship despite playing for different clubs. This is important for France ahead of the 2026 World Cup. PSG's outlook for 2026-2027 season With Dembele as the reigning Ballon d'Or winner, PSG is in a new strategic position. They no longer depend on a single star as in the Mbappe era. Instead, the club is building a more multi-dimensional attacking system. However, signs of 'not finding rhythm' early in the season suggest the integration process is incomplete. PSG's new attack, with Dembele as the driving force, needs time to reach maximum effectiveness. The 2026 Ballon d'Or ceremony will take place on October 26 in London. This is the second consecutive year Dembele has been on the shortlist, after claiming the top honor last year. Until then, the debate about the most deserving candidate will certainly continue.