Ousmane Dembele believes that the criticism of Kylian Mbappé has gone ‘too far’

France striker Ousmane Dembele has defended captain Kylian Mbappe, saying criticism of the Real Madrid striker has become excessive as the national team prepares for the World Cup.

Dembele, who has become a key figure for France at the tournament and is a contender for this year’s Ballon d’Or after helping Paris St Germain win the Champions League, told the Spanish newspaper Marking that some commentators had gone too far in their assessment of his old teammate.

Mbappe remains one of the most scrutinized figures in French football since leaving PSG and joining Real Madrid in 2024.

Despite still being a prolific goalscorer, the France captain came under criticism during a season in which Real failed to win La Liga or the Champions League, with some pundits and supporters questioning his leadership of the national team since he inherited the captaincy following the retirement of Hugo Lloris from international football.

Mbappe’s appearances, public appearances and even minor aspects of his behavior regularly spark intense debate in France.

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“The criticism of him is very, very unfair,” Dembele said before France started its World Cup campaign against Senegal on Tuesday. “Some people go a little too far with their criticism of Kylian.

«He is a great player and a very good person off the pitch. Some people exaggerate the criticism because he is Kylian Mbappe. They should not keep chasing him. Whether he ties his shoes or not, whether he pulls up his socks or not… it is too much. He is still a human being.»

“With the French team he is very good with us, he is a leader.”

The pair have built a close relationship during their years together with Les Bleus. They are expected to play a central role in France’s bid for a third World Cup title in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Dembele also paid tribute to coach Didier Deschamps, who has announced he will step down after the World Cup after more than a decade in charge of the national team.

“He’s just an exceptional coach,” Dembélé said. «He will forever remain a legend among the coaches of the French national team.»

Deschamps guided France to World Cup glory in 2018 and another final four years later.

Asked about the prospect of former French great Zinedine Zidane succeeding Deschamps, Dembélé welcomed the idea.

“We hope to welcome him to the French bench one day,” he said. “I am confident he would do a fantastic job.”

Zidane, who won the World Cup as a player in 1998 and later enjoyed great success as coach of Real Madrid, has long been linked with the France job but has repeatedly refused to discuss the position while Deschamps is still in charge.

Published on June 12, 2026