The football world is buzzing after Ousmane Dembélé delivered a potent counter-punch to Kylian Mbappé, directly challenging the 'chosen one' narrative that has long defined their respective journeys.
Key Takeaways
- Ousmane Dembele insisted he was never considered the “chosen one” during his rise to the top.
- The Ballon d'Or holder credited hard work for his success with Paris Saint-Germain.
- Kylian Mbappe recently said he had always been viewed as the “chosen one” compared to Dembele.
- Dembele has developed a strong attacking partnership with Ferran Torres at PSG.
Dembele Insists His Success Was Built on Hard Work
Dembele offered a pointed response to recent comments from his close friend and France teammate Kylian Mbappe, making it clear that he does not believe he was destined for superstardom.
Speaking after PSG's 1-0 win over Brest on Sunday, the reigning Ballon d'Or winner reflected on his journey and stressed that hard work, rather than expectations or destiny, had driven his rise.
"I've always been at the back of the class, working hard. Throughout my career, I haven't said a word, I've worked incredibly hard," Dembele told Ligue 1+.
"As I said, I've never been the chosen one, but I worked hard, and last year I was rewarded with a fantastic year with Paris Saint-Germain. And this year, we'll see how it goes, no pressure, just taking it easy."
Mbappe's 'Chosen One' Comments Spark Debate
Dembele's comments came shortly after Mbappe offered his own perspective on how the pair were viewed during their teenage years. In an interview with France Football, the Real Madrid forward highlighted the different expectations that surrounded their respective careers from an early age.
"Dembele? He was always seen as a talented player. I, on the other hand, was always seen as the chosen one," Mbappe said.
The contrasting comments have added an intriguing layer to the relationship between two of France's biggest football stars, particularly with Dembele now holding the Ballon d'Or after his breakthrough campaign with PSG.
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Dembele Builds New PSG Partnership With Ferran Torres
While the comments have generated plenty of discussion, Dembele's focus remains firmly on helping PSG succeed on the pitch.
Following Mbappe's departure, PSG have had to develop new attacking combinations, with Ferran Torres emerging as one of Dembele's most effective partners.
The French forward has enjoyed playing alongside Torres, having previously shared the pitch with the Spaniard during their time at Barcelona.
"I was lucky enough to play with him a bit at Barcelona. He's a true goalscorer, a true number nine who can also play on the wing. And it's easy to play with him," Dembele explained.
"He makes very good runs. It's easy to find him, we talk a lot, it's easy with Ferran."
The chemistry between the pair has been one of the positives of PSG's early season, even as the French champions continue to search for their best rhythm without Mbappe.
Dembele Enters 2026 Ballon d'Or Race as Defending Champion
Dembele's comments also arrive as attention turns towards the 2026 Ballon d'Or, with the nominees for both the men's and women's awards officially announced.
The PSG star enters the race as the defending men's champion and will be aiming to win the prestigious prize for a second consecutive year.
However, he faces strong competition from a field featuring established stars and a new generation of contenders, including Lamine Yamal and Jude Bellingham.
The 2026 Ballon d'Or ceremony is scheduled to take place in London on October 26, with Dembele now looking to let his performances do the talking once again.
