France forward Ousmane Dembele has come to the defence of captain Kylian Mbappe, arguing that criticism directed at the Real Madrid superstar has gone beyond reasonable limits ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Mbappe has faced intense scrutiny in recent months following a mixed campaign at club level, with debates over his performances and leadership continuing to dominate discussions in France and beyond.
Speaking to Spanish publication Marca, Dembele expressed frustration at the level of attention surrounding his international teammate and urged critics to remember the human side of one of football’s biggest stars.
“The criticism towards him is very, very unfair. Some people go a bit too far with the criticism of Kylian,” said Dembele.
“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.”
Despite the external noise, Dembele highlighted Mbappe’s influence within the French national team setup, describing him as a respected figure and a natural leader in Didier Deschamps’ squad.
France head into the World Cup carrying significant expectations, with Mbappe once again expected to play a central role as Les Bleus chase another global title.
The Paris Saint-Germain winger was also asked about the possibility of legendary former France midfielder Zinedine Zidane one day taking charge of the national team.
Dembele made it clear that the prospect would be warmly received by the squad.
“We hope to welcome him one day to the France bench,” he said. “I’m convinced he would do a fantastic job.”
France begin their 2026 World Cup campaign against Senegal on Tuesday, with Mbappe expected to lead the team as they target a strong start to their tournament journey.
While Mbappe remains one of the most scrutinised footballers on the planet, he believes the criticism has crossed the line and that the France captain deserves greater respect for both his performances and his character.
Toosin is a dedicated sports writer with a strong background in crafting engaging and insightful content. With experience at Goal, he has developed a sharp editorial sense and a refined storytelling approach that brings depth and perspective to sports journalism. His passion for the game goes beyond the headlines, as he captures both the excitement of the sport and the compelling human narratives behind each event. Toosin’s work resonates with a broad and diverse audience, making global sports stories accessible, relatable, and impactful.
