Key Takeaways:
- Ousmane Dembélé addressed Kylian Mbappé’s ‘chosen one’ comment following Paris Saint-Germain’s 1-0 victory over Brest
- Both Dembélé and Mbappé have been nominated for this year’s Ballon d’Or, which is set to be awarded in London next month
- While Dembélé helped PSG retain the UEFA Champions League last season, Mbappé scored 42 goals in 44 appearances for Real Madrid and became France’s all-time leading scorer
Background: Ballon d’Or Rivals Exchange Words
A hint of rivalry appears to be simmering between French internationals Ousmane Dembélé and Kylian Mbappé, following post-match comments after Paris Saint-Germain’s 1-0 win against Brest on Sunday night. With both players shortlisted for the forthcoming Ballon d’Or award in London next month, the spotlight has increasingly shifted towards their personal achievements and public statements.
🚨Kylian Mbappé il y’a quelques jours :
« J'ai toujours été vu comme l'élu »
Ousmane Dembele ce soir :
« J’ai jamais été l’élu mais j’ai bossé énormément »
Réponse à Mbappé ? pic.twitter.com/RHGEkth0tT
— PSG COMMUNITY (@psgcommunity_) September 13, 2026
Public Statements Highlight Contrasting Journeys
Kylian Mbappé, Real Madrid’s forward and captain of Les Bleus, shared his perspective with France Football when questioned about his compatriot. He stated: “He has always been seen as a talented player; I have always been seen as the chosen one.”
Responding in his interview with Ligue 1 Plus on Sunday night, Dembélé appeared to counter his teammate’s remarks: “I have always been at the back of the class, working hard. In my whole career, I haven’t said a word. I have worked a lot. As I said, I was never the chosen one, but I worked and, last year, I was rewarded for a fantastic year with PSG, and this year, we will see, without pressure, calm,” said the PSG forward.
Comparing 2025/26 Achievements
Ousmane Dembélé played a crucial role last season as Paris Saint-Germain successfully defended their UEFA Champions League title. By contrast, Real Madrid completed the campaign without securing any major trophies. Nonetheless, Kylian Mbappé delivered prolific individual statistics, finding the net 42 times in 44 matches for Los Blancos. The season also saw Mbappé surpass Olivier Giroud to become France’s leading all-time goalscorer.
