09/21/26 09:56:00
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09/21 09:04 CDT Mbapp brushes off talk of tension with France teammate Dembl
as Ballon d'Or race heats up
Mbapp brushes off talk of tension with France teammate Dembl as Ballon d'Or
race heats up
PARIS (AP) --- Kylian Mbapp has dismissed talks of tensions with Ousmane
Dembl as the France teammates feature among the top contenders for the men's
Ballon d'Or.
With the winners to be announced at a ceremony in London on Oct. 26, clubs and
players have been campaigning actively for the prestigious award.
During a recent interview with France Football, which organizes the trophy,
Mbapp said he believes he can win it this year.
The Real Madrid striker also compared himself with Dembl, who won the
accolade last year. When told that 10 years ago only a few observers would have
thought that Dembl would win the Ballon d'Or before him, Mbapp replied:
"But he has always been seen as a talented player. I, on the other hand, have
always been seen as the chosen one. I was at the top right away, from a very
young age. He had a different journey, with injuries, but he has caught up
really well!"
Mbapp's comments reportedly created tensions between the pair. Both players
were set to gather Monday for a France training camp ahead of upcoming Nations
League matches, and Mbapp said their relationship remains unchanged.
"I've already spoken to him about it, and there's no tension," he told L'Equipe
during an interview in connection with his role as an ambassador for the brand
On. "He's a friend. I don't think there's really any problem regarding that.
I'm very relaxed about it."
After claiming a second straight Champions League title with Paris
Saint-Germain last season, Dembl has a chance to retain the Ballon d'Or.
Dembl and Mbapp both played for France at the World Cup, where their team
lost to eventual champion Spain in the semifinals. Although it's difficult to
win the accolade without a major trophy, Mbapp made history when he overtook
Lionel Messi for the most all-time World Cup goals (22), in fewer games.
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