Dembele defends Mbappe, says criticism has gone ‘too far’

France forward, Ousmane Dembele, has come to the defence of national team captain Kylian Mbappe, describing the criticism aimed at the Real Madrid striker as excessive ahead of Les Bleus’ 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign.

Mbappe has remained under intense scrutiny since taking over the France captaincy in 2023.

The spotlight grew even stronger after Real Madrid ended the season without a major trophy following his move from Paris Saint-Germain in 2024.

Speaking to Spanish newspaper Marca, Dembele said the criticism directed at his international teammate had crossed the line.

Dembele said, “The criticism towards him is very, very unfair. Some people go a bit too far with the criticism of Kylian.

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“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.”

Dembele’s comments come as France prepare to begin another World Cup campaign, with Mbappe expected to lead the attack alongside several of Europe’s leading players.

The pair are set to feature in France’s opening Group match against Senegal on Tuesday before further fixtures against Iraq and Norway.

Despite criticism at club level, Mbappe remains central to France’s ambitions.

He played a key role in the country’s 2018 World Cup triumph and produced one of the competition’s greatest individual performances in the 2022 final, scoring a hat-trick against Argentina despite France’s defeat on penalties.

Dembele, meanwhile, heads into the tournament after helping Paris Saint-Germain win a second consecutive UEFA Champions League title, a campaign that has placed him among the leading contenders for this year’s Ballon d’Or.

Dembele also paid tribute to France coach Didier Deschamps, who will leave his role after the World Cup, ending a spell that began in 2012.

“He’s simply an exceptional coach,” Dembele said. “He will forever remain a legend among French national team coaches.”

Deschamps guided France to World Cup success in 2018 before leading the team to another final in Qatar four years later, where Mbappe’s hat-trick was not enough to prevent defeat to Argentina.

Asked about the possibility of Zinedine Zidane succeeding Deschamps, Dembele welcomed the prospect of the former France midfielder taking charge of the national team.

“We hope to welcome him one day to the France bench. I’m convinced he would do a fantastic job,” he added.

Zidane, who won the World Cup alongside Deschamps in 1998 before enjoying a trophy-laden spell as Real Madrid manager, has long been linked with the France job.

However, the 53-year-old has consistently declined to discuss the role while Deschamps remains in charge.