Real Madrid News
Ousmane Dembele fires back at Kylian Mbappe’s ‘Chosen One’ Ballon d’Or remark: ‘Last year I was rewarded’
The 2026 Ballon d’Or race has taken an intriguing turn after Ousmane Dembele appeared to respond directly to comments from Kylian Mbappe, with the PSG forward stressing the hard work behind his rise to the top.
The winner will be announced on 26 October, with Mbappe, Lamine Yamal and Dembele among the leading names in contention.
Yamal enters the race with the World Cup and LaLiga title on his resume, while Mbappe has made no secret of his own ambitions.
Dembele, the reigning Ballon d’Or winner, had a different route to recognition. His World Cup was not especially memorable, but he lifted the Champions League with PSG again.
Mbappe puts his own case forward
Mbappe recently spoke to L’Équipe about his career and the expectations that have followed him since his emergence as a teenage sensation.
“I’ve always been the one everyone looked to. Dembele? He was always seen as a talented player. Me, on the other hand, I was always seen as ‘the chosen one’,” admitted the Real Madrid forward.
The comment was notable given Dembele’s status as the current Ballon d’Or holder and his long-standing friendship with Mbappe.
Notably, the remark has not gone down particularly well with those close to the PSG star.
Dembele points to work, not destiny
Following PSG’s latest Ligue 1 match against Brest, Dembele was asked about the comments and offered a response that appeared to draw a clear distinction between being labelled a natural successor and earning recognition through years of effort.
“As I said, I’ve never been ‘the chosen one’, but I’ve worked incredibly hard. And last year I was rewarded,” he emphasised.
The PSG forward then insisted that his approach would not change regardless of the eventual outcome.
“We’ll see what happens this year; I’m taking it in my stride. I’ve always been one of those at the back of the class working hard – my whole career has been like that.
“I’ve never said a word. All I’ve ever done is work hard,” he concluded.
Yamal complicates the Ballon d’Or picture
The exchange comes with the Ballon d’Or field unusually difficult to separate.
In a typical World Cup year, the tournament often leaves everything to prediction. Spain’s success was built on collective strength rather than one dominant individual.
That leaves room for the likes of Mbappe, while Yamal has a particularly compelling resume after winning both the World Cup and La Liga.
At the same time, Dembele’s Champions League success with PSG keeps him in the conversation too.
Source: Mundo Deportivo
Real Madrid News
Manchester United launch final push to sign Real Madrid outcast; club resists permanent exit
Manchester United are stepping up their pursuit of Endrick as the Brazilian forward’s future at Real Madrid becomes increasingly uncertain, with a potential January loan move emerging as a solution to his lack of regular playing time.
According to Bernabeu Digital, Manchester United are making a final push to convince the 19-year-old to join them.
However, negotiations could prove complicated because the Premier League club is interested in including a purchase option in the deal, while Real Madrid are not currently planning to give up permanent control of the striker.
Endrick’s limited opportunities under Jose Mourinho this season have opened the door to a temporary departure, with AC Milan and Tottenham also emerging as potential destinations.
Why Manchester United want Endrick?
Manchester United are looking for greater attacking productivity and believe Endrick could provide a different dimension to their forward line.
The Premier League club has also been linked with the Brazilian in the past, as they assess options to improve their goalscoring output after a poor start to the season.
Notably, his situation at Real Madrid makes a move more plausible, as Endrick has struggled to secure consistent minutes, and the club is considering a loan that would give him the chance to play regularly.
However, United’s preferred terms could become the biggest obstacle.
The English side reportedly wants the option to buy Endrick at the end of the loan, potentially giving them a route to a permanent transfer if he impresses.
Real Madrid reject permanent Endrick exit
Real Madrid’s preference is understood to be a straightforward loan without a purchase option.
The club want Endrick to gain experience elsewhere before returning to compete for a place in the squad, rather than risk losing a young forward they have invested in for the future.
His previous loan spell at Lyon provides a possible model for another temporary move, although any agreement would depend on the terms offered and the player’s own preferences.
Manchester United are prepared to make an attractive financial proposal in an effort to secure his arrival, but money alone may not resolve the disagreement if Real Madrid remain unwilling to include a purchase clause.
