Report: Dembele warns Mbappe to stop Real Madrid bad habit

The FIFA World Cup is just around the corner, and for reigning runners-up France, the objective is clear: secure a third global crown.

While achieving a third consecutive final appearance is a difficult task, Les Bleus enter the tournament as hot favourites, heavily relying on a reshaped dressing room hierarchy to fuel their high ambitions.

According to an explosive report from L'Équipe, a major shift in team dynamics has seen Ousmane Dembélé assume a vital leadership role.

The 29-year-old, who enters the camp as the reigning Ballon d’Or holder and a back-to-back Champions League winner with Paris Saint-Germain, now commands the absolute respect of the squad's biggest stars.

This elevated standing recently empowered Dembélé to directly confront his international captain, Kylian Mbappé.

The winger reportedly raised the urgent need for the 27-year-old Real Madrid forward to break his bad defensive habits and show significantly greater commitment out of possession, emphasising that tracking back is essential to fully integrate into the team's tournament mentality.

The tactical intervention addresses a persistent issue that has plagued Mbappé throughout his time in the Spanish capital.

The former PSG talisman has faced intense criticism from Spanish media over his stark lack of defensive work, which stands in direct contrast to Dembélé’s relentless, high-pressing system in Paris.

Despite the sensitive nature of the feedback, the discussions between the two superstars have remained entirely constructive.

Alternating between light-hearted banter and serious tactical analysis, both men have thoroughly enjoyed the exchanges.

This mutual respect highlights the incredibly strong bond that has grown between them over the years, signalling a remarkably healthy atmosphere within the camp as France fine-tunes its squad to conquer the world stage.