What Mbappe told Dembele after Ballon d’Or win

Kylian Mbappé may have missed the Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris, but he still found a way to celebrate Ousmane Dembélé’s historic night.

The Real Madrid star sent his former PSG teammate a heartfelt message online after his triumph.

Mbappé, who was tied up with preparations for Real Madrid’s clash against Levante on Tuesday, couldn’t attend the gala in person.

That did not stop the French captain from showing support for his countryman, as he posted: “Ousmane Dembélé. This is emotional, brother! You deserve [it] x1000.”

The pair clearly have a strong bond forged during their shared time at Paris Saint-Germain and on international duty with Les Bleus.

Despite finishing seventh in the Ballon d’Or rankings himself, one spot below his 2024 finish, Mbappé’s had no qualms celebrating Dembélé’s crowning moment.

At 28, Dembélé became the sixth Frenchman to win the Ballon d’Or, adding his name to a storied list that includes Karim Benzema, who last lifted it in 2023.

The French forward’s case was built on a phenomenal season with PSG, where he fired 21 goals in Ligue 1 to finish joint top scorer alongside Mason Greenwood.

Beyond domestic dominance, Dembele also played a crucial role in PSG’s long-awaited Champions League triumph, netting eight times as they captured their first-ever European crown.

For Dembélé, it was the crowning glory of a campaign that has redefined his career and cemented his place in French football history.