In Madrid, Kylian Mbappé’s first season at Real Madrid has placed his individual case for the Ballon d’Or beside a less convincing collective campaign. The France captain has argued that failing to take the prize would be a disappointment, insisting that no player surpassed him over the previous season.
That view has met sharp resistance in France, where former international Jérôme Rothen has attacked what he sees as an organised effort around Mbappé’s candidacy.
Quick facts
- Kylian Mbappé has publicly said he would be disappointed not to win the Ballon d’Or.
- He believes his performances for Real Madrid and France made him last season’s outstanding player.
- Jérôme Rothen called a possible Mbappé victory “a joke” and “a sham”.
- Daniel Riolo said the campaign’s methods would leave a bitter taste, even if Mbappé won.
Rothen said Mbappé would be isolated if he were awarded football’s most prominent individual honour. He accused the forward and those around him of attempting to secure votes, saying the campaign had become focused on making sure Mbappé receives the trophy.
The former player went further, claiming that criticism of the Paris-born forward is shared beyond minor figures in the game. In Rothen’s assessment, leading players also hold reservations, and a Ballon d’Or win for Mbappé would confirm what he described as an unacceptable push behind the scenes.
Journalist Daniel Riolo has also questioned the drive around the Real Madrid forward, though in less explosive terms. Riolo said he could understand the desired outcome but not the route being taken to reach it.
He compared the argument to the football idea that results alone excuse every method. Riolo stopped short of calling the prize devalued, but said that any success achieved in this manner would carry an unpleasant aftertaste.
