Mbappe, Dembele tension over Ballon d'Or comments as both make 30-man shortlist

As of September 15, 2026, according to sports reporter Ifreke Inyang citing L'Equipe, France teammates Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele are experiencing tension ahead of the 2026 Ballon d'Or award after Mbappe reportedly referred to Dembele as the 'chosen one' while promoting himself as a potential winner. Dembele reportedly responded by insisting he had always worked for everything he achieved in his career, with Mbappe said to be surprised by the outburst but choosing not to respond publicly. Both players have made the 30-man shortlist of nominees, with the winner set to be announced on October 26.

This developing storyline adds intrigue to the Ballon d'Or race for Nigerian football fans who follow the prestigious award. As two of the top contenders and key France internationals, any internal camp tension could influence perceptions ahead of the voting.

Fans should monitor how this dynamic evolves before the October 26 announcement, considering whether such teammate friction might impact voting perceptions or simply reflect normal competitive pressure among elite players vying for football's highest individual honor.

SOURCE: https://dailypost.ng/2026/09/15/2026-ballon-dor-tensions-arise-between-mbappe-dembele/