Ousmane Dembélé Defends Kylian Mbappé and Emerges as France Squad Leader

Ahead of the 2026 World Cup, France winger Ousmane Dembélé publicly criticised the media’s relentless scrutiny of team captain Kylian Mbappé. Dembélé said the criticism was "very unfair" and emphasized that Mbappé is "an incredible player and a very good person off the pitch" who deserves basic decency.

The same period sees Dembélé’s status rise within the national team, with teammates and insiders describing him as a newly‑minted leader in the dressing‑room. Sources note that players look to Dembélé for direction on‑field and off‑field, underscoring his growing influence under coach Didier Deschamps as France prepares for its World Cup campaign.