Ousmane Dembélé appeared to mock Kylian Mbappé after the Real Madrid forward called himself “the chosen one” (l’élu) in a recent interview with L’Équipe, sparking speculation about strain between the two French internationals. RMC Sport analyst Waldi Acherchour described Dembélé’s reaction as symbolic, comparing it to dismissively flicking away a minor irritation, and questioned whether it was lighthearted banter or a sign of genuine friction ahead of this year’s Ballon d’Or announcement.
What did Mbappé say that triggered the reaction?
In his interview with L’Équipe, Mbappé referred to himself as “the chosen one,” a phrase widely interpreted as a confident, if provocative, nod to his own credentials as a top Ballon d’Or contender. The comment quickly circulated in French football media, with observers noting the timing given Dembélé’s own strong individual season and his standing as one of the favorites for the prestigious award.
Why does Acherchour see this as a ‘hot potato’ issue?
Acherchour framed the exchange as delicate precisely because Dembélé and Mbappé are known to be close friends both on and off the pitch, having come through the French national team together for years. He suggested that publicly dismissing a friend’s bold claim, even in jest, becomes complicated territory when both players are simultaneously competing for the same individual honor.
“Is it just banter between friends, or does it reveal a real distance between them?” Acherchour asked, describing the situation as a delicate one to navigate.
What does this mean ahead of the Ballon d’Or vote?
The exchange adds a layer of intrigue to this year’s Ballon d’Or race, where both Dembélé and Mbappé are considered among the leading candidates. While neither player has escalated the matter publicly beyond these brief remarks, French media and pundits like Acherchour are treating the moment as a potential signal of underlying competitive tension, even if rooted in a genuine friendship built over years of playing together for the France national team.
