Upamecano refuses to be drawn into Ballon d'Or row, only wants to talk about Zidane

Dayot Upamecano's radiant smile during the first training session under Zinedine Zidane said it all. While the French media were buzzing with the Ballon d'Or story between Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé, the Bayern Munich defender chose to stay silent and enjoy the new atmosphere at the national team. He did not want to be drawn into the media war, and his answer to reporters was a clear message: the French team is moving forward. The controversy began with Mbappé's interview with France Football magazine last Saturday, the publication that has handed out the Ballon d'Or since 2026. In the conversation, the Real Madrid forward said: "Dembélé was always seen as a gifted player, whereas I, on the other hand, was always regarded as the chosen player." This statement immediately sparked a strong reaction from Dembélé. The Paris Saint-Germain winger replied: "I was never seen as the chosen player, but I worked hard, and last year I was rewarded with a wonderful season at Paris Saint-Germain." Both players are among the 30 nominees for the Ballon d'Or award, with the ceremony set for London on 26 October. This is the first time in years that two French stars are competing for the most prestigious individual honor, creating an unforgiving media showdown. However, Upamecano, who is focused on the French team under Zidane's new leadership, does not want to take part in this fight. During Monday's training session, Upamecano was one of 12 players present under Zidane's guidance. He described the session as "the first of a new era" for France. "We enjoyed ourselves a lot, that's the most important thing," the Bayern Munich defender shared. "Our focus today was on adapting and welcoming the new players. We had a really great training session. I'm very happy. We were all fans of his from childhood, as well as Barthez, and it's wonderful to learn from him." Zidane, the French legend of Algerian descent, officially took over as head coach of France after Didier Deschamps ended his 14-year tenure. Zidane's arrival is seen as a major boost for a team that had a disappointing Euro 2026 campaign, reaching only the semi-finals before losing to Spain. French fans expect Zidane to bring a fresh wind, both tactically and spiritually. Upamecano, 27, is one of Europe's top centre-backs. He has earned over 30 caps for France and is a mainstay in Bayern Munich's defence. With experience at the highest level in the Bundesliga and Champions League, he understands the importance of maintaining unity in the dressing room. His refusal to comment on the Mbappé-Dembélé controversy is not avoidance but a deliberate decision. "We won't get into any discussions. We just trained and enjoyed our time here. Look at my smile, we enjoyed ourselves a lot," Upamecano told reporters, according to French outlet Foot Mercato. Asked about learning from Zidane, he replied with a smile: "It's hard to imitate Zidane's control of the ball. And his first words were for us to give our best on the pitch, and that's what we tried to do." Upamecano's silence is a powerful message as France faces many storms. Besides the Mbappé-Dembélé dispute, the team must also handle issues related to discipline and positional competition. Zidane, who led Real Madrid to three consecutive Champions League titles, knows that building a strong collective requires players who put the common interest above personal ego. The Mbappé-Dembélé story is not merely a personal matter. It reflects the reality that modern top-level football is not just a battle on the pitch but also a media battle. Every statement from stars can become a focal point, and every answer can be twisted into a major issue. In that context, Upamecano's silence is a wise choice, showing the maturity and composure of a player accustomed to high-pressure situations. However, there is another perspective. Upamecano's refusal to answer could also be seen as a way to avoid upsetting either star. In the French team, Mbappé is the captain and the number one star, while Dembélé is an important attacking figure. Taking sides would be risky. Therefore, silence is the safest way to maintain his position in the team. But whatever the reason, Upamecano's actions have shown one thing: France is trying to focus on football rather than being distracted by off-pitch squabbles. Zidane, with his legendary experience, will certainly know how to navigate these pressures. He faced many storms during his time at Real Madrid, and he knows that dressing-room unity is the key to any success. Monday's session featured 12 players, including several new faces called up to the national team. This is an opportunity for Zidane to reassess his squad and test new tactical ideas. With a squad as talented as France's, selecting the right players is a difficult puzzle, but Zidane has proven he is a master at solving such puzzles. Upamecano, as a seasoned centre-back, will be one of the key pillars in Zidane's plans. His calmness, reading of the game, and fighting spirit will be the foundation of France's defence in upcoming tournaments. His refusal to engage in the Ballon d'Or controversy only reinforces his image as a professional who always puts the team first. The Mbappé-Dembélé story will certainly continue to be discussed in the coming days, especially as the Ballon d'Or ceremony approaches. But for Upamecano, the most important thing is that he is off to a great start under Zidane. His smile during training is the clearest proof of that. And perhaps that is also what France fans are hoping for: a united collective, focused on football, ready to conquer new heights. The French team has never lacked internal controversies. From Zidane's playing days, with the infamous clash in the 2026 World Cup final, to the turmoil of the 2026 golden generation, media pressure has always been part of French football. However, what makes France strong is their ability to overcome noise and focus on the common goal. And Zidane, as a legend who has experienced it all, understands this better than anyone. In the first training session, Zidane not only conveyed tactics but also created a relaxed atmosphere that made players feel excited. Upamecano emphasized that joy is the most important thing, and that could be the key to unlocking the team's potential. When players feel happy, they play better, as has been proven across generations. As for Mbappé and Dembélé, both are excellent players, but they have different styles and personalities. Mbappé, with his ambition to win the Ballon d'Or, always wants to assert his number-one status. Dembélé, after a stellar season at PSG, is enjoying the peak of his career. This rivalry could create positive competition, but it could also cause division if not managed properly. Zidane will need to be clever in managing these big egos. Upamecano, though not an attacking star, plays a vital role in the team. He is the steel shield in front of goal, the commander of the defence, and one of the influential voices in the dressing room. His growth over the years is admirable, and his silence in the face of provocative questions is clear proof of a top player's character. As international competitions become increasingly fierce, with the 2026 World Cup set to take place in North America, France needs thorough preparation. Zidane has two years to rebuild the squad, and sessions like Monday's are the foundation for the upcoming qualifying campaign. The presence of experienced players like Upamecano will be key to helping young talents integrate quickly. Another notable point is that Zidane has called up many new players, giving opportunities to the next generation. This shows he is not afraid of change and is willing to give chances to those who deserve them. Upamecano, though only 27, is already one of the oldest players in the training group, and he can act as a mentor to the younger ones. When asked about learning from Zidane, Upamecano laughed and said it is hard to imitate the legend's ball control. This humorous answer reflects the relaxed atmosphere Zidane has created. He is not just a coach but also a spiritual father, inspiring generations of French players. In the history of the Ballon d'Or, there have been many similar controversies, but they rarely affect the performance of the national team. France won the 2026 World Cup and Euro 2026 with a generation full of strong personalities. The key is for the coaching staff to turn individual rivalries into collective motivation. Zidane, who won the Ballon d'Or in 2026, understands the value of the award, but he also knows that no individual honor compares to collective glory. Upamecano, with his calm demeanor, is showing himself to be an ideal role model for young players. He does not need to say much to assert his position. His actions on the pitch and professional attitude in the dressing room speak volumes. In a team full of stars, Upamecano's humility is a precious asset. As the session ended, Upamecano left the pitch with a smile still on his face. He had a wonderful day at work, and he wanted to share that joy with everyone. That is the message he wants to send to the fans: France is happy, united, and ready for the challenges ahead. As for the off-pitch controversies, they will only be passing winds in the journey to conquer glory. As Zidane begins to rebuild France, the most important thing is team spirit. Upamecano has shown he understands that. His answer is not merely politeness; it is a statement: France is moving forward, and personal controversies will not divide them. In a football world full of noise, silence is sometimes the loudest voice. In a football world where media and social networks can exaggerate everything, maintaining focus is a real challenge. But players like Upamecano are proving they have the character to overcome it. They understand that football is a team sport, and no star is bigger than the team. That is the spirit Zidane is trying to build, and that is why French fans have the right to hope for a bright future. In the coming days, France will continue training before entering international matches. With Zidane at the helm, fans can expect a new, inspired, and effective style of play. As for Upamecano, he will continue to fulfill his role, not only as an excellent centre-back but also as a quiet leader who always puts the team's interests first. And when the ball rolls, all controversies will give way to beautiful performances on the pitch.