KylianMbappé left London's Palais des Sports with his head bowed after being beaten by HarryKane at the 2026 Ballond'Or, while his former OGCNice teammate OusmaneDembélé was on hand to defend his title as outgoing winner. The ceremony, which saw the presentation of the trophy to the English striker, highlighted the tensions which seem to be growing between the two French people, even if no direct altercation was noted.
Upon his arrival, Mbappé first greeted ÉlieJuniorKroupi, Bournemouth player represented by the same agent as that of PSG, before heading towards the theater lounges. According to L'Équipe, Dembélé did not have the opportunity to meet Mbappé before the handover, because he arrived later and did not go through the spaces reserved for guests. This lack of meeting has reignited speculation about the relationship between the two attackers, who, according to sources, have recently become closer. However, the absence of contact is not enough to conclude that there was a deliberate desire to avoid each other.
Mbappé's disappointment was analyzed by journalist DaveAppadoo, who underlined the emotional weight of this second place. He noted that the Frenchman, who has always been considered a future Ballond'Or since his adolescence, felt a more violent blow than in previous years. Appadoo spoke about Mbappé's reaction when he saw the envelope opened by Cristiano Ronaldo, saying it left a lasting impression. According to the journalist, Mbappé's frustration is exacerbated by the constant pressure that has surrounded him since his debut.
PSG, meanwhile, continues to monitor developments around its key players. Dembélé's discreet presence in London, as well as discussions about his relationship with Mbappé, remain a subject of interest for the sports media. The two players, who share a common past in Nice, could see their interactions evolve over the course of the next matches, both for club and national team.
As the 2026-27 season approaches, the question remains whether Mbappé's Ballond'Or disappointment will influence his performances in Ligue1 and the World Cup. Fans and analysts are waiting to see how the Blues captain will react to this new disillusionment, and whether tensions with Dembélé will continue to fuel discussions in the media. The next meetings on the ground could well be the scene of a resolution or a deepening of these frictions.