Dugarry rejects claims of Mbappe and Dembele split in France camp

The dispute involving Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele remains a major talking point in France after comments by the national team captain sparked controversy.

According to L’Equipe, Dembele and those close to him were unhappy with the way Mbappe spoke about himself, particularly after he described himself as “the chosen one”. Mbappe’s status as one of the leading contenders for the Ballon d’Or is not new, given that he has been regarded as a leading candidate for several years.

The issue has prompted a range of reactions across French football and the media. Speaking on RMC Sport, Jerome Rothen suggested Mbappe’s remarks amounted to a form of “betrayal” and hinted that the disagreement could have created divisions within the France squad.

Christophe Dugarry, who was appearing on the same programme, strongly rejected that interpretation and challenged Rothen to identify the players he believed were involved in two opposing groups.

“Jerome, about what you said, I want names,” Dugarry said. “You’re telling me there are two groups within the team. I don’t believe this rubbish! What is upsetting you, Ousmane? You have won the Champions League twice and the Ballon d’Or.”

The former France international also pointed out the long-standing relationship between the two players.

“You have known each other since you were 15,” he added. “Are you really going to be upset by an interview in which Kylian spent all his time talking about himself? He did not say anything bad about Dembele.”

Dugarry continued to defend Mbappe, saying the comments did not contain a direct attack on Dembele. Instead, he believed they reflected the contrasting personalities of the two players and their differing attitudes towards football and fame.

“What Kylian said is the truth,” Dugarry said. “I remember when Dembele was at Barcelona, he couldn’t get up in the morning to go to training because he had been playing PlayStation. Come on! Dembele is the anti-star, and that is why he succeeds. He has the mentality of an anti-star.

“These are two visions of football facing each other. Two different approaches to football. Two different personalities.”

Dugarry said those differences did not necessarily point to a serious dispute between the pair, arguing that their contrasting characters could simply be a normal feature of their relationship within the France team.

He also questioned why Dembele would be offended, given the Paris Saint-Germain player’s reserved nature and reluctance to seek the spotlight.

“I don’t understand what shocks Ousmane Dembele,” Dugarry said. “He has always presented himself as reserved, shy and somewhat introverted, with a strong team spirit. He has built his career that way and won in that way. He understands that philosophy of football.

“Mbappe is the complete opposite. I’m sorry, but if their friendship cannot get beyond this, then it was never very strong in the first place.”

However, Dugarry admitted that some aspects of Mbappe’s public comments did concern him, especially the player’s confidence and repeated use of the first person when discussing his career and status.

“There are things that bother me, such as Kylian’s excessive confidence in his statements,” he said. “I’m surprised by how much he talks in the first person and presents himself in that way, in a team sport where he has not achieved much despite having plenty still to win.”

Dugarry concluded that Mbappe currently has the influence and standing to express himself as he chooses: “Today, Mbappe is the source of his own power.”