France forward Ousmane Dembele has come to the defence of captain Kylian Mbappe, asserting that the criticism levelled against the Real Madrid striker has become “excessive” as the national team prepares for their World Cup campaign.
Dembele, who has emerged as a pivotal figure for France and is considered a contender for this year’s Ballon d’Or after helping Paris St Germain win the Champions League, told Spanish newspaper Marca that some commentators had gone “a bit too far” in their assessment of his long-time teammate.
Mbappe has remained one of the most intensely scrutinised figures in French football since his move to Real Madrid in 2024.
Despite his prolific scoring record, the France captain faced significant criticism during a season where Real Madrid failed to secure either La Liga or the Champions League.
Pundits and supporters alike have also questioned his leadership within the national team since he inherited the captaincy following Hugo Lloris’s international retirement. Mbappe’s performances, public appearances, and even minor aspects of his behaviour consistently spark intense debate across France.
“The criticism towards him is very, very unfair,” Dembele stated ahead of France’s World Cup opener against Senegal on Tuesday.
“Some people go a bit too far with the criticism of Kylian. He’s an incredible player and a very good person off the pitch. Some people overdo the criticism because he’s Kylian Mbappe. They shouldn’t keep going after him.
“Whether he ties his shoelaces or not, whether he pulls up his socks or not… it’s too much. He’s still a human being. With the France team, he’s very good with us, he’s a leader.”
The two forwards have cultivated a close relationship during their years representing Les Bleus and are expected to play central roles in France’s pursuit of a third World Cup title in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Dembele also took the opportunity to praise coach Didier Deschamps, who has announced his intention to step down after the World Cup, concluding over a decade at the helm of the national side.
“He’s simply an exceptional coach,” Dembele remarked. “He will forever remain a legend among French national team coaches.”
Deschamps famously guided France to World Cup glory in 2018 and another final four years later.
When asked about the prospect of former France great Zinedine Zidane succeeding Deschamps, Dembele expressed his approval.
“We hope to welcome him one day to the France bench,” he said. “I’m convinced he would do a fantastic job.”
Zidane, a World Cup winner as a player in 1998 and a highly successful coach at Real Madrid, has long been linked with the France job but has consistently refrained from discussing the position while Deschamps remains in charge.
