Dembele Shrugs Off Mbappe Comparisons as PSG Star Eyes Another Ballon d’Or Challenge
Ousmane Dembele has refused to be defined as Kylian Mbappe’s successor at Paris Saint-Germain, insisting that he is focused on developing his own game rather than living in the shadow of his fellow France international.
When Mbappe left PSG for Real Madrid in the summer of 2024, much of the attention immediately shifted to Dembele. The former Barcelona winger was expected to take greater responsibility in attack and fill the void left by PSG’s record goalscorer.
Dembele responded in emphatic fashion. He played a key role in PSG’s historic treble-winning campaign and became one of Luis Enrique’s most important attacking players, scoring 35 goals across all competitions. His outstanding season was subsequently rewarded with the 2025 Ballon d’Or.
Now, with the 2026 edition of the award approaching, Mbappe was recently interviewed by France Football about his own chances of winning the prize again. The Real Madrid forward finished last season as the top scorer in La Liga and also at the 2026 World Cup.
During the interview, Mbappe also praised his former PSG teammate, describing Dembele as a player who has always possessed obvious talent. Dembele, however, appears increasingly uninterested in comparisons between the two players.
The 29-year-old has grown tired of being labelled as Mbappe’s successor at PSG and wants to be judged on his own achievements. Rather than attempting to replicate what Mbappe accomplished in Paris, Dembele is focused on returning to the level that earned him the Ballon d’Or last year.
“I always try to regain my quality by working hard. Throughout my career, I have never been someone who talks a lot; I just work,” Dembele said, as quoted by ESPN.
“Now I don’t feel any pressure. I’m just going to take it calmly.”
That mentality appears to have helped Dembele maintain a strong level of performance despite the expectations surrounding him. The France international has recorded two goals and four assists in six appearances across all competitions this season, continuing to play a central role in Enrique’s attacking system.
His current focus will now turn to one of the biggest fixtures on the French football calendar. PSG are preparing to face Marseille in the latest edition of Le Classique on Monday, September 21.
The match will provide another opportunity for Dembele to demonstrate that he is capable of defining his own era at PSG rather than simply being viewed as the player who followed Mbappe. With another Ballon d’Or campaign beginning to take shape, Dembele appears determined to let his performances speak for him.
