Dembélé Prioritizes World Cup Over Ballon d’Or, Defends Mbappé Against Criticism

Ousmane Dembélé, the star of the French national team and Paris Saint-Germain, has expressed that winning the 2026 World Cup is his primary goal at this stage of his career. He emphasized that collective achievements hold greater importance for him than any individual award, regardless of its prestige.

In an interview with Spanish newspaper Marca, Dembélé revealed that his biggest dream is to lead France to another World Cup title, despite being one of the frontrunners for the Ballon d’Or after a successful season with PSG.

The French player noted that while individual awards are a significant recognition for any athlete, they cannot compare to the value of winning major tournaments. He stated that lifting the World Cup trophy with his national team remains the most important accomplishment in his football journey.

Dembélé discussed France’s prospects in the tournament, asserting that being labeled as a favorite does not guarantee any team an advantage on the pitch, especially in a competition featuring elite teams capable of competing until the later stages.

He added that the French team must first focus on advancing past the group stage before contemplating further rounds, acknowledging that reaching the finals in previous editions adds pressure to achieve remarkable results.

The PSG forward praised Spain’s national team as one of the top contenders for the title due to their impressive roster and cohesive playing style, making them a formidable opponent in the tournament.

Dembélé also spoke about Lionel Messi, affirming that Argentina’s captain can still make a difference despite his age, calling him the best player he has ever witnessed throughout his career.

In another vein, Dembélé defended his teammate Kylian Mbappé, stating that the French captain often faces exaggerated criticism that does not reflect his true value on or off the field. He highlighted Mbappé as one of football’s brightest stars with a unique personality and exceptional skills, confirming that he is a crucial part of France’s future plans.

The French international reflected on his decision to leave Barcelona for Paris Saint-Germain, stating he has no regrets about this move after being convinced by PSG’s sporting project and his role within it.

Dembélé praised coach Didier Deschamps for his contributions to French football over the years and expressed excitement at the idea of Zinedine Zidane potentially taking over as coach in the future, believing that the French legend possesses all the qualities necessary for success.

He concluded his remarks by reiterating that winning a second World Cup with France remains his most significant goal, viewing victory in this tournament as every player’s ultimate dream to leave an indelible mark on football history.