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Criticism of Mbappé in France: "It would be a joke, a farce

As the Golden Balloon nomination approaches, Kylian Mbappé finds himself at the center of a controversy in France, with severe criticism of his campaign.

24 September 2026

Criticism of Mbappé in France: "It would be a joke, a farce

According to Mundodeportivo.

Context

Kylian Mbappé, star of Real Madrid and the French national team, is at the center of controversy as the Golden Balloon award approaches. Despite having a remarkable individual performance, criticism of his campaign for the award raises questions about his legitimacy and the way he is approaching the competition.

Why this matters

The controversy surrounding Kylian Mbappé and his Ballon d'Or candidacy highlights the polarization in French football. Criticism from figures such as Jérôme Rothen and Daniel Riolo reflects growing discontent with the way Mbappé's campaign is being conducted, raising questions about the legitimacy of the award. This debate not only affects the player's reputation, but also the public perception of the Golden Balloon as a whole.

Main conclusions

  • Criticism of Mbappé in France: "It would be a joke, a farce.
  • As the Golden Balloon nomination approaches, Kylian Mbappé finds himself at the center of a controversy in France, with severe criticism of his campaign.
  • Criticism of Mbappé in France: "It would be a joke, a farce, he is trying to 'buy' votes."

With each approach to the Golden Balloon designation, media analyzes and positions gain prominence, and this year is no exception. Although Kylian Mbappé's team was not particularly good, his individual performance, both for Real Madrid and for the French national team, generated considerable support for his candidacy. The player himself expressed his confidence, stating that "it would be a disappointment not to win it. There was no one better than me last season".

However, this stance did not convince everyone, and critical voices emerged in France, challenging the legitimacy of the campaign surrounding the player. Former footballer Jérôme Rothen, speaking to 'RMC' radio, spared no criticism, stating that "if Mbappé wins the Golden Balloon, it's a joke, and he's going to be very lonely". Rothen openly questioned the player's tactics, stating: "Do you realize that right now he is trying to 'buy' votes for the Golden Balloon? To get that damn Golden Balloon?"

The former player also stressed that, if Mbappé wins, it would mean a farce, assuring that "we all have the same opinion about him, and not only are players with little reputation, but also big names in football think the same way. Now we have confirmation that there is a real campaign on his part and those around him: it is essential that Kylian Mbappé wins the Golden Balloon".

This chorus of criticism was joined by well-known journalist Daniel Riolo, who also expressed his perplexity regarding the campaign surrounding the player. "I don't understand anything about this campaign. I understand the final objective, but I never believed that the end justified the means. It's like those who say that in football only the result counts. I'm not going to say that this is an undervalued Golden Balloon, but the way in which it is building this success, if anything, leaves a bitter taste in my mouth."

Rothen and Riolo's statements reflect growing discontent with the way Mbappé positions himself in relation to the Golden Balloon, calling into question not only his ethics, but also the value of the prize itself. As the ceremony approaches, the pressure on the player and his aspirations will only increase, with the debate surrounding his candidacy intensifying.

What happens next

With the Golden Balloon ceremony approaching, the pressure on Kylian Mbappé is likely to increase. Criticism could intensify, especially if the player continues to be seen as someone trying to influence the vote. The impact of this controversy could also affect its relationship with fans and its image in French and international football.

Frequently asked questions

What happened to Kylian Mbappé in France?

Kylian Mbappé faced criticism in France over his Golden Balloon bid, with voices questioning the legitimacy of his campaign.

Who confirmed the criticism of Mbappé?

The criticisms were confirmed by Jérôme Rothen, a former football player, and Daniel Riolo, a well-known journalist.

Why is criticism of Mbappé now in the spotlight?

Criticism emerges as the Golden Balloon nomination approaches, intensifying analyzes of Mbappé's candidacy.

What changes were mentioned in criticism of Mbappé?

Criticism suggests that Mbappé is trying

ar 'buying' votes to win the Golden Balloon, which was considered a farce by some critics.

What is Jérôme Rothen's opinion on Mbappé's candidacy?

Jérôme Rothen stated that if Mbappé wins the Golden Balloon, it would be a joke and that he would be trying to manipulate the situation to get the award.

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Perguntas frequentes

O que aconteceu com Kylian Mbappé em França?

Kylian Mbappé enfrentou críticas em França sobre sua candidatura ao Balão de Ouro, com vozes questionando a legitimidade da sua campanha.

Quem confirmou as críticas a Mbappé?

As críticas foram confirmadas por Jérôme Rothen, ex-futebolista, e Daniel Riolo, um conhecido jornalista.

Por que agora as críticas a Mbappé estão em destaque?

As críticas surgem à medida que se aproxima a designação do Balão de Ouro, intensificando as análises sobre a candidatura de Mbappé.

Que mudanças foram mencionadas nas críticas a Mbappé?

As críticas sugerem que Mbappé está a tentar 'comprar' votos para ganhar o Balão de Ouro, o que foi considerado uma farsa por alguns críticos.

Qual é a opinião de Jérôme Rothen sobre a candidatura de Mbappé?

Jérôme Rothen afirmou que se Mbappé ganhar o Balão de Ouro, seria um chiste e que ele estaria a tentar manipular a situação para conseguir o prémio.

What happened in this story?

Críticas a Mbappé em França: "Seria um chiste, uma farsa summarizes the main development covered in this report.

Who confirmed this news?

See the source attribution in the article for where this report was first published or corroborated.