Ousmane Dembélé has come to the defense of his teammate Kylian Mbappé, saying criticism of the Real Madrid star has gone too far. On the eve of France's World Cup campaign, Dembélé spoke to Spanish newspaper Marca about the scrutiny Mbappé has faced.

What happened?

Dembélé's comments come after Mbappé was jeered by his own fans in Madrid and a petition calling for his exit from the club gained millions of signatures. Mbappé joined Madrid on a free transfer in 2024, but the team has struggled domestically and on the continent.

Why it matters for Ousmane Dembélé

As a teammate of Mbappé's on the French national team, Dembélé has seen firsthand the criticism Mbappé has faced. Dembélé scored in the final of France's World Cup win in 2018, and he believes Mbappé is an incredible player who deserves respect.

What comes next?

France begins their World Cup campaign against Senegal on Tuesday, and Dembélé is hopeful that the team can put the criticism behind them and focus on the tournament. With former Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane potentially taking over as manager after the World Cup, Dembélé is confident that the team is in good hands.

Dembélé said that Mbappé is a very good person off the pitch and that some people overdo the criticism because he's Kylian Mbappé. He believes that Mbappé is still a human being and deserves to be treated with respect.

The World Cup campaign is set to be manager Didier Deschamps' last hurrah at the helm, and Dembélé has no reservations about Zidane taking charge. He said that Zidane is an exceptional coach who would do a fantastic job as manager.

As France prepares to take on Senegal, Dembélé is focused on the task at hand. He knows that the team has a tough road ahead of them, but he's confident that they can succeed with Mbappé on their side.

Dembélé's comments are a testament to the strong bond between the French teammates. He believes that Mbappé is an important part of the team and that they need to support him through the tough times.

With the World Cup just around the corner, Dembélé is ready to put the criticism behind him and focus on the tournament. He knows that it won't be easy, but he's confident that France can go all the way.

The stage is set for a thrilling World Cup campaign, and Dembélé is ready to play his part. With his speed and skill on the pitch, he's a key player for France and will be crucial in their quest for victory.

As the tournament gets underway, Dembélé will be looking to make a big impact. He's got the talent and the determination to succeed, and he's ready to give it his all for France.

The World Cup is a time for heroes to emerge, and Dembélé is ready to be one of them. With his teammates by his side, he's confident that they can achieve great things and bring home the trophy.

Dembélé's defense of Mbappé is a sign of the strong team spirit that exists within the French squad. They're a team that's united and determined, and they'll stop at nothing to succeed.

The World Cup is just the beginning for Dembélé and France. They've got a long and difficult road ahead of them, but they're ready for the challenge. With their skill and determination, they're a team to be reckoned with.

And as they take to the pitch, Dembélé will be looking to make a big impact. He's got the speed and skill to outmaneuver any opponent, and he's ready to give it his all for France.

But for now, Dembélé is focused on the task at hand. He knows that the World Cup is a time for heroes to emerge, and he's ready to be one of them.

So as France prepares to take on Senegal, Dembélé is confident that they can succeed. He's got the talent and the determination to make a big impact, and he's ready to give it his all for France.

The stage is set for a thrilling World Cup campaign, and Dembélé is ready to play his part. With his teammates by his side, he's confident that they can achieve great things and bring home the trophy.