Zidane eyed as mediator between Mbappé and Dembélé after Ballon d'Or rift

Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé have not spoken since Dembélé’s injury, which occurred the Tuesday before the Ballon d’Or ceremony. This was revealed in a brief video clip filmed at the trophy presentation in London on Monday evening, showing Mbappé asking Dembélé about his physical condition — as if he were unaware of it.

Journalist Loïc Tanzi, present in London for his media outlet, drew conclusions from the scene. “If you’re friends with someone, even very close friends as they claim to be, you check in on them as soon as they’re injured. That means since Dembélé’s injury and yesterday, they haven’t spoken,” he said on Tuesday. For him, the verdict is clear: “Relations are still fresh, or even very fresh.”

Tension between the two France attackers reportedly stems from the Ballon d’Or campaign. Mbappé, determined to win the individual award, allegedly made remarks deemed insensitive toward Dembélé, leaving lasting damage to their relationship. Ultimately, Harry Kane won the trophy, ahead of Mbappé in the final standings.

Faced with this rift, Tanzi sees Zinédine Zidane as the only man capable of playing peacemaker. “For me, it’s Zidane. He’s the key. He has the stature to do it, and the capacity, as national team manager, to sit them down at a table. Will he want to do it? I don’t know. But someone needs to get them both in a room and have them talk.”

A meeting at the next France squad gathering seems unlikely, however: Dembélé, injured, is not expected to be available in time. And even if the two players were to meet, Tanzi is pessimistic about the depth of any potential reconciliation. “Ousmane Dembélé will never forget. He knows that facing him will always be someone capable of speaking ill of him to try to gain something greater personally. On Dembélé’s side, it will be difficult.”