In an interview with L’Équipe, Kylian Mbappé, 27, the Real Madrid striker, heaped praise on Ousmane Dembélé, 29, the Paris Saint-Germain winger. The former PSG player sees his friend as a natural Ballon d’Or contender and a major asset for Les Bleus.
Mbappé: “Ousmane is Ballon d’Or material”
“Ousmane is Ballon d’Or material. He’s a much more reliable player, much more clutch. Mature. He’s reached the peak of his career, and that’s great for us because it’s happening at the perfect time. This World Cup is a fantastic opportunity for him to make a statement and show that he’ll also achieve great things with the French national team.” “
The compliment is immense, especially coming from Kylian Mbappé, who is intimately familiar with the highest level of competition and Ousmane Dembélé’s career path. For Paris Saint-Germain, this statement reinforces the idea of a player who has reached his full potential, capable of making a significant impact in the big matches. The word “clutch” is not insignificant: it precisely describes what PSG expects from its attacking leaders in crucial games.
Mbappé: “We want to win a second World Cup together.”
“I have no doubt. Our relationship? It would be good if it evolved a bit because we have the same kind of awkward relationship (he laughs). We’ve known each other for too long for that to change, since we were 13. We talk every day. We have a thousand WhatsApp groups together, the same interests. We’ve experienced everything together. And we want to win a second World Cup together.”
Beyond the sporting praise, Mbappé also highlights a rare relationship in French football. This close bond lends even more weight to his assessment of Dembélé. For PSG, seeing their winger described as a top player by one of the world’s best strikers confirms his rise to prominence. And with the World Cup on the horizon, Dembélé can extend his momentum into the international stage.”
