Dembélé Defends Mbappé Amid Criticism Before World Cup

Ousmane Dembélé, a forward for the France National Team, defended his teammate Kylian Mbappé amid ongoing criticism directed at the Real Madrid star. This defense comes as France prepares for its World Cup 2026 opener against Senegal on Tuesday.

Dembélé remarked that the scrutiny on Mbappé has been intense, particularly following France's failure to secure major trophies in 2023. He described Mbappé as an incredible top player and urged people to refrain from aggressive criticism towards him.

Dembélé's comments highlight the pressure faced by Mbappé, who has been a focal point of discussion in the lead-up to the tournament.