Ousmane Dembele has been surprised by the "unfair" criticism of Kylian Mbappe, which he says has gone too far.

Mbappe plundered 42 goals in 44 games across all competitions for Real Madrid in 2025-26.

However, Los Blancos finished the campaign without a major trophy, with two coaches (Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa) dismissed – Jose Mourinho was officially appointed as Madrid's new coach earlier this week.

Among players in Europe's top five leagues, only Harry Kane (61) scored more club goals than Mbappe across the season, but the France star nevertheless came in for criticism from some quarters at Madrid.

There were reports of a rift between Mbappe and the coaching staff over the forward's injury concerns, while he was regularly jeered by Madrid supporters, and a petition for him to leave the club was even launched.

The situation has left Dembele, last year's Ballon d'Or winner, baffled.

"The criticism towards him is very, very unfair. Some people go a bit too far with the criticism of Kylian," Dembele told Marca.

"He's an incredible player and a very good person off the pitch. Some people overdo the criticism because he's Kylian Mbappe. They shouldn't keep going after him.

"Whether he ties his shoelaces or not, whether he pulls up his socks or not. It's too much. He's still a human being. With the France team, he's very good with us, he's a leader."

Mbappe's focus is now on the World Cup, as he aims to spearhead a France team that are among the favourites to win the tournament.

According to Opta's supercomputer, only Spain (16.3%) have a better chance of winning the trophy than Les Bleus (13.5%). 

Like Mbappe, Dembele has already won the World Cup, having been part of the victorious French team back in 2018.

France also reached the final in 2022, going down to Lionel Messi's Argentina, with Mbappe netting a hat-trick in that game.