(Dembele) The story behind this trend in Social Media today
02-10-2026
The social-media focus on Ousmane Dembélé today centers on the French national team and a supposed rift with Kylian Mbappé.Dembélé, the reigning Ballon d’Or winner and a Paris Saint-Germain forward, is captaining France against Italy in the Nations League at the Stade de France because Mbappé is out with injury. Zinedine Zidane started him in attack alongside Michael Olise and Désiré Doué. Live reaction has mixed praise for the side with criticism of Dembélé’s display in a central role, with some arguing he should be replaced and Mbappé restored when fit.The wider thread is the Ballon d’Or conversation. The 2026 ceremony is set for later this month in London. Mbappé recently contrasted their paths, saying Dembélé had long been viewed as a talented player while he himself had always been treated as “the chosen one.” Dembélé answered that he had never been the chosen one, had stayed quiet and worked, and was rewarded last season for a strong year with PSG. He has also pointed to teammate Khvicha Kvaratskhelia as a strong candidate for this year’s award and joked that the trophy could be split.On 1 October, ahead of the Italy match, Dembélé publicly dismissed talk of a fallout. He called the stories small arguments or “little wars” on social media, said that at 29 he has no interest in them, and insisted he wants to focus on the pitch. He added that he and Mbappé have spoken, sit next to each other at the table, and that there is no problem between them.That combinationcaptaincy in Mbappé’s absence, the “chosen one” exchange, Dembélé brushing off the drama as online noise, and real-time debate over his performanceis what has kept his name circulating.