How Umtiti used Messi to settle the Mbappé and Dembélé feud?

Speaking on French broadcaster RMC Sport, 2018 World Cup winner Samuel Umtiti referenced his former teammate Lionel Messi to weigh in on the recent Ballon d'Or exchanges between France national team forwards Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé.

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The Messi comparison and initial critique

The public debate between the two French internationals ignited after Mbappé described himself as the "chosen one" during an interview with France Football, drawing a sharp contrast with Dembélé.

The Paris Saint Germain winger subsequently replied following a league victory over Brest, stressing that his success was built on unglamorous hard work rather than predestined status.

Reflecting on the episode, Umtiti drew upon his years alongside eight time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi at FC Barcelona to evaluate Mbappé's public self advocacy.

"During my time at Barcelona, I never saw Messi speak this way about the Ballon d'Or... I find it a bit difficult to accept, but that is how Kylian is and I think his approach could bother some of the teammates around him" Umtiti told RMC Sport.

Umtiti noted that the escalating verbal sparring indicates that "the race for the Ballon d'Or has entered its final stages"

Defending Mbappé: Context & Contrasting personalities

Despite his initial critique, the former French international defender offered a more measured perspective when examining the broader context of the interview suggesting the controversy had been magnified unnecessarily.

"When I go back and watch what Kylian said, he was not speaking badly about Ousmane... His words were taken slightly out of context because right before that, he spoke very highly of Ousmane" Umtiti explained.

Umtiti highlighted that both attackers possess fundamentally different dispositions and communication styles:

"The two players have completely different personalities. Ousmane is not Kylian and vice versa. We know Kylian has a specific way of expressing himself and sometimes we need to understand what he wants to say. It must be viewed from a broader perspective"

He also pointed out the historical expectations surrounding both players:

"He spoke about Ousmane's talent and the truth is that nobody expected Ousmane to win the Ballon d'Or. Everyone used to say Kylian would win the Ballon d'Ors. What he said is reality. There is no reason for them to be upset with one another"

Narrative control in the final stretch

Umtiti’s intervention provides valuable dressing room insight into a debate that has dominated French football media. While Mbappé’s direct and self assured rhetoric has defined his career at Real Madrid, it inevitably creates friction when juxtaposed against Dembélé's narrative as an industrious, unexpected winner.

By bridging both sides, Umtiti's remarks cut through external drama, framing Mbappé's comments as an expression of established expectations rather than personal disrespect.

Khaled Hegazy |

Editorar, en

Journaliste sportif spécialisé dans la couverture du football et la création de contenu numérique, alliant expérience éditoriale et expertise des médias sociaux.

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