Dembele says criticism of France captain Mbappe has gone too far

France forward Ousmane Dembele has strongly defended national team captain Kylian Mbappe, asserting that the criticism directed at the Real Madrid star has become excessive. As the French squad prepares for the World Cup, Dembele voiced his opinion in an interview with Spanish newspaper Marca, suggesting that some commentators have crossed a line in their assessments of his teammate.

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The criticism towards him is very, very unfair. Some people go a bit too far with the criticism of Kylian. He's an incredible player and a very good person off the pitch. Some people overdo the criticism because he's Kylian Mbappe. They shouldn't keep going after him. Whether he ties his shoelaces or not... it's too much. He's still a human being.

Mbappe, who moved to Real Madrid in 2024, remains a highly scrutinized figure in French football. Despite his continued prolific scoring, criticism surfaced during a season where Real Madrid failed to secure titles in La Liga or the Champions League. Furthermore, some pundits and fans have questioned his leadership within the national team since he took over the captaincy from Hugo Lloris.

"The criticism towards him is very, very unfair," Dembele stated. "Some people go a bit too far with the criticism of Kylian. He's an incredible player and a very good person off the pitch. Some people overdo the criticism because he's Kylian Mbappe. They shouldn't keep going after him. Whether he ties his shoelaces or not... it's too much. He's still a human being."

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He's simply an exceptional coach. He will forever remain a legend among French national team coaches.

Dembele also expressed admiration for coach Didier Deschamps, who is set to depart after the World Cup. "He's simply an exceptional coach," Dembele said. "He will forever remain a legend among French national team coaches." The forward welcomed the prospect of Zinedine Zidane succeeding Deschamps, stating, "We hope to welcome him one day to the France bench. I'm convinced he would do a fantastic job."

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We hope to welcome him one day to the France bench. I'm convinced he would do a fantastic job.