Kylian Mbappé did not hesitate to defend Ousmane Dembélé and became the focus of media attention ahead of France’s crucial second match in the World Cup against Iraq. The French captain, who kicked off the tournament with a brace against Senegal, decided to confront the fierce criticisms aimed at his attacking teammate and made it clear that, for him, Dembélé is “a very important player for us.”
The press conference preceding the French team’s next challenge, held this Tuesday, was marked by a rare appearance of Mbappé before journalists. The Real Madrid forward, now firmly established as the number nine for the national team, discussed the versatility of his role on the pitch, emphasizing: “I feel good, physically and mentally. I have played one World Cup on the right wing, another on the left, and now I am starting in the center of attack. It shows that the position I play is not that important; what matters is the type of players I am with, how the team attacks and defends, and who the opponent is.”
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The dominant theme, however, was the wave of criticism directed at Ousmane Dembélé, whom many pointed to as the weakest link in the “bleus” inaugural victory against Senegal. Mbappé left no room for doubt and responded emphatically, revealing that he had analyzed the game in detail: “I watched the game twice, first alone and then with the coaching staff. He was the best of the four attacking players in the first half,” assured the captain, clearing his teammate’s name. “He is the one who contributed the most to giving fluidity to our game.”
The French forward went even further by defending Dembélé’s importance in decisive plays, explaining that the contribution of the PSG winger is not reflected in statistics, but makes all the difference: “In the second half, Michael [Olise] and I were decisive, but he also contributed. For the first goal, Michael is able to make the pass because Ousmane draws Niakhaté out of position and I can attack the space. That doesn’t show up in the stats, but it’s equally important.”
When asked about Dembélé’s morale following the criticism, Mbappé emphasized his teammate’s calmness and experience: “He is very relaxed about it. He is the holder of the Ballon d’Or. He has the full confidence of the group and the coaching staff and is a very important player for us. He has been in the national team for many years, he knows perfectly how everything works, so there is no problem, and I am sure that tomorrow he will continue to improve. Let’s not forget that he was also injured at the end of the season.”
These words of public support from the French captain not only reinforced internal confidence but also served as a warning to those who doubt Dembélé’s value. In a context where France seeks to assert itself as a title contender, cohesion and solidarity within the locker room could prove crucial for performance in the upcoming World Cup matches.
The next step for Didier Deschamps’ team will be the difficult task of overcoming Iraq, a traditionally combative and unpredictable selection. The performance of the French attack, especially Dembélé, will be under scrutiny, but the unconditional support of Mbappé may be the necessary tonic to silence the critics and galvanize the group. If Dembélé rises to the occasion and meets the expectations of the captain on the field, France could gain a new offensive dimension and solidify its bid for the final victory. The pressure is mounting, and all eyes will be focused on the next match, where it will be seen if this vote of confidence will have an immediate effect.
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