Mbappe on Dembele's form: 'He deserves everything he's achieving'
Kylian Mbappe is back with the French national team after missing several call-ups, with Didier Deschamps believing it was better for him to focus on adapting to Real Madrid. Now, as the key player for Carlo Ancelotti’s side, Mbappe faces the challenge of regaining his best form with France.
With Antoine Griezmann retired from international duty, Mbappe must step up as a leader, though Ousmane Dembele, currently one of the best players in the world, is ready to assume that role as well. Dembele has scored 30 goals for PSG in 2025 alone, and we’re still in mid-March.
Mbappe, who has always been a friend and admirer of Dembele, isn’t surprised but is delighted with his progress, as he shared in an interview with Le Parisien. "Seeing him do this personally moves me because I know how much he was criticized and mocked. I’ve been his biggest defender since we were 14. I always said, even when he wasn't scoring, that he was one of the best in the world. Some thought I said it just because I liked him, but I know the difference between friendship and reality on the pitch."
"Ousmane reached maturity at 27, which is normal in football. Some players are more precocious, so others might have thought he was late. But no, Ousmane Dembele was never late; it’s the normal evolution of a footballer, reaching their full potential at 27. He still has many great years ahead. I’m really happy for him, and I hope he continues this way. He deserves everything he's achieving, he’s worked hard for it, and I hope he keeps this pace with the French national team until 2026, so we can be world champions," said the French star.
