"I'm moved, I know how much he's been mocked" - Mbappe on Dembele's stellar form

Ousmane Dembele has been flourishing for Paris Saint-Germain since the turn of the calendar year. The 27-year-old has become a crucial asset for the Parisian's attack, scoring 30 goals from 37 appearances so far this term. And 22 of them were scored in 2025 alone.

The Frenchman seems to have completely rediscovered his form after a difficult period at Barcelona. Dembele landed in Catalunya with big expectations on his shoulders after a breakout season with Borussia Dortmund, but was unable to replicate his displays with the 'Blaugrana'.

Hit with injury woes and a wavering lack of confidence, his struggles persisted over his six-year stay in the Spanish top flight. But his return to Ligue 1, tied with the arrival of Luis Enrique at PSG has turned out to be a game-changer for the talented winger.

Speaking on Dembele's stellar performances this season, Mbappe was rather pleased to see his France and former PSG teammate get revenge on his critics. "Seeing him do this moves me personally because I know how much he's been criticised and mocked," he told 'Le Parisien'.

The Real Madrid star revealed that he had always backed Dembele to shine on the big stage despite his rough patch at Barca. He said: "I've been his biggest supporter since we were 14. I've always said, even when he wasn't scoring, that he was one of the best players in the world.

"Some thought I was just saying that because I liked him. But I know the difference between friendship and reality on the pitch. Ousmane reached maturity at 27, which is normal in football. Some players are more precocious, so some might have thought he was arriving late.

"But no, Ousmane Dembele has never arrived late; it's the normal evolution of a footballer, who reaches his full potential at 27. He still has great years ahead of him. I'm very happy for him and I hope he continues like this. He deserves what he's getting; he's worked hard for it."

Mbappe was hopeful Dembele would be able to translate his with the national team as he set his sights on the 2026 World Cup. "I hope he continues at the same pace with the French national team until 2026, so we can be world champions," he concluded.

For now, the duo will be focused on providing for the France squad in the upcoming March international break. 'Les Blues' will play their double-header against Croatia in the Nations League quarter-finals, hoping to seal the win to book their place in the tournament's semi-final.