Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé has spoken about compatriot Ousmane Dembélé winning the Ballon d’Or ahead of him, insisting that he does not feel jealous of the Paris Saint-Germain star.
Dembélé claimed the 2025 Ballon d’Or, finishing ahead of Barcelona youngster Lamine Yamal after an outstanding season with PSG.
Mbappé, who previously played alongside Dembélé at PSG, had been regarded as one of the leading contenders for football’s biggest individual prize during his career.
However, the France captain said there was no reason for him to be envious of Dembélé’s achievement, pointing to the differences in their respective careers.
Speaking in an interview with L’Équipe, Mbappé acknowledged that expectations around the two players had been very different from an early stage.
“He was always seen as a very talented player, while I was always seen as the chosen one,” Mbappé said.
He noted that he reached the highest level of the game at a very young age, while Dembélé’s career was affected by injuries and difficult periods.
“I reached the highest level very early in my career. His journey was different. He had injuries and difficult moments, but he has made an incredible comeback.”
Mbappé’s comments come after Dembélé’s breakthrough season at PSG, where his performances helped establish him as one of the world’s leading players and ultimately earned him the Ballon d’Or.
For Mbappé, the French duo’s different career paths mean Dembélé’s success should not be viewed as a setback for him.
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