Rothen warns France could split as Mbappé and Dembélé feud escalates

The France national team is back in the spotlight, and this time it has nothing to do with what happens on the pitch. The verbal clash between Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé over the Ballon d'Or race has caused a major internal upheaval in the French camp. Jerome Rothen, a former France international now working as a pundit for RMC Sport, has painted a picture of a dressing room deeply divided into two opposing factions.

• Jerome Rothen says Dembélé felt betrayed by Mbappé's words and is extremely angry.
• The former player claims the France dressing room has split into two camps.
• Several PSG and France teammates are reportedly backing Dembélé in the dispute.
• L'Equipe traces the conflict back to Mbappé saying he was always seen as the chosen one.
• Zinedine Zidane's arrival and the upcoming international break only raise the tension.

Why Dembélé felt betrayed by Mbappé

Rothen was unequivocal when describing the mood of the Paris Saint-Germain winger after hearing the Real Madrid striker's remarks. The 48-year-old commentator, capped 13 times by France, believes the blow was both direct and deeply personal.

Dembélé took it very badly, that's for sure. He is very angry with Kylian Mbappé. For him, it is a form of betrayal. Those are strong words, but that is exactly how he sees it.

The rift stems from an interview Mbappé gave to France Football. Asked about his compatriot, the France captain made a clear distinction: Dembélé had always been regarded as a talented player, while he himself had been treated as the chosen one. In Dembélé's inner circle, that comparison has been interpreted as a dismissal of everything he has built through quiet, relentless work.

A France dressing room split into two camps

The former PSG, Monaco and Bastia player did not limit his analysis to the personal level. He described a much wider fracture within the squad that will now be coached by Zinedine Zidane.

According to Rothen, several French internationals have sided with Dembélé in this standoff. The feeling that lingered after the last World Cup has grown stronger: many players do not agree with either Mbappé's behaviour or the tone of his public comments. What might once have been softened by his goalscoring record is now surfacing with renewed intensity.

Dembélé, the mediator who now feels singled out

One of the most delicate aspects of this crisis is the role Dembélé had played within the group. The PSG man, far more conciliatory by nature, had often acted as a bridge between different players in the national team. His ability to lower internal tensions made him a respected figure beyond the spotlight, which is why this latest episode has hit particularly hard among those who valued his discreet work.

What Mbappé and Dembélé said about the Ballon d'Or

The controversy plays out against the backdrop of the race for the Ballon d'Or. Mbappé pointed to the difference in perception that has always existed between the two: one seen as a brilliant talent, the other as destined to dominate world football. Dembélé's response took a few days to arrive, but it came with a message full of pride.

I have always been at the back of the class, working hard. Throughout my whole career I haven't said a word; I have worked extremely hard.

The PSG forward recalled that he was never seen as the chosen one, but that his effort was rewarded with a fantastic season in Paris. His message, delivered after a win for his club, made it clear that he approaches the present without pressure and with the calm of someone who has earned respect through perseverance.

What is at stake for France at the next international break

The reunion between Mbappé and Dembélé in the blue shirt is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated images in European football. Rothen has not hidden his curiosity about how that first handshake will unfold and has predicted a highly charged atmosphere at the camp.

Zidane's new era begins with a monumental challenge: rebuilding cohesion in a group that arrives emotionally fractured. Managing egos and internal wounds will be just as important as tactical preparation for the upcoming fixtures. At stake is not only the result, but the stability of a squad that aspires to fight for major honours.

Mbappé and Dembélé, two contrasting paths

Both players share a generation, an international dressing room and careers marked by very different expectations. Mbappé burst onto the scene as a global phenomenon, won a World Cup at 19 and became accustomed to carrying the label of natural heir to the great legends. Dembélé, meanwhile, had to deal with doubts, injuries and the constant need to prove his talent.

That narrative of the chosen one versus the silent worker has now exploded at the least convenient moment. The Ballon d'Or, a prize both men covet, has served as the stage for bringing to light a buried rivalry that had long been simmering inside the national team.