Mbappé Rewatched the Film. He Says Dembélé Was France’s Best Attacker in the First Half.

Kylian Mbappé showed up for pre-match media duty ahead of France’s second World Cup group game against Iraq, and he didn’t come to play defense on the mic. He came to play defense for a teammate.

Ousmane Dembélé took heat after France’s opener against Senegal. The reigning Ballon d’Or winner didn’t show up on the scoresheet, and the internet did what the internet does. But Mbappé, now France’s captain and all-time leading scorer, wasn’t having it.

“I rewatched the match twice. The first time on my own and then with the staff,” Mbappé said. “He was the best of the four attacking players in the first half. He’s the one who was best at making our play fluid.”

Mbappé went deeper, breaking down the game film like a coach might. On France’s first goal, he pointed out that Dembélé pulled Senegal defender Niakhaté out of position, creating the space for Mbappé to run into and for Michael Olise to make the pass that led to the score.

“You don’t see that on the statistics sheet, but it’s just as important,” Mbappé added.

Dembélé had been dealing with an injury late in the club season, which might explain why he looked a step slow to some fans. Mbappé mentioned that too, sort of casually, like it should have been obvious.

Mbappé on his own role change

The captain also addressed the fact that he’s been moved around the attack over the years. He started one World Cup on the right wing, another on the left, and now he’s lining up as the number nine.

“It shows that the position I play in is not that important,” Mbappé said. “It’s more about the type of players I’m with, how the team attacks and defends, and the opponent.”

That kind of flexibility matters for a France side that’s still figuring out its best attacking shape. With Dembélé on one side and Mbappé through the middle, there’s a lot of movement and not a lot of fixed spots. That’s by design.

Mbappé was clear that Dembélé isn’t rattled by the criticism. “He’s very calm about it. He’s the reigning Ballon d’Or winner. He has the full confidence of the squad and of the coaching staff, and he’s a very important player for us,” Mbappé said.

France faces Iraq next. Dembélé will likely start again. And if the outside noise bothers him, Mbappé made it pretty clear that the noise inside the locker room is saying something different.