The Ballon d’Or winner addressed the subject alongside Zinedine Zidane before the Nations League meeting, insisting there is no problem between the two France forwards despite recent discussion surrounding the award.
“I don’t comment on all these stories, I don’t want to comment. They are just petty arguments on social media. At 29, I’m not thinking about that. I’m focused on the pitch,” Dembélé said.
The Paris Saint-Germain forward also confirmed that he and Mbappé had spoken about the situation.
“We have spoken. We sit next to each other at the same table. There is no problem,” he added.
Mbappé is unavailable against Italy because of injury, leaving Dembélé to wear the France captain's armband. The absence of the Real Madrid forward has nevertheless not changed Dembélé's emphasis on the collective.
“He is a very important player for us, he has shown that over these years and he is the captain of the national team. When he plays, we are better. But there are other players who are also very good and play for the best teams in the world. We don't win because of two or three players, we do it as a team,” Dembélé said.
France have won their opening two Nations League matches under Zidane, beating Turkey before defeating Belgium 1-0. Michael Olise scored the decisive goal against Belgium late in the game.
Dembélé has also welcomed the freedom Zidane has given France's attacking players, drawing some comparisons with his experience at Paris Saint-Germain.
“There are quite a few similarities between France and PSG. The coach gives us a lot of freedom as forwards. I wouldn't say it is a similar philosophy, but both teams try to enjoy themselves on the pitch. As Zidane said, the team plays and wants the ball,” he said.
Zidane has meanwhile reflected on facing Italy, 20 years after his confrontation with Marco Materazzi in the 2006 World Cup final.
“These are things that happen in your career. I am not proud of what I did, but it is part of my career. In life we do things that aren't right. Now we are in the present and that is what I am concentrating on,” Zidane said.