Kylian Mbappé faces Chinese controversy and Kane's rise

Kylian Mbappé is going through difficult times. He is the subject of a controversy coming from China because of remarks by the captain of the French about memes comparing him to Mao Zedong. He has also been overtaken by Harry Kane in the race for the 2026 Ballon d’Or.

Media conflict on Canal+

A defeat was commented on with acidity by Bertrand Latour, which did not please Pierre Ménès who defended the Bondynian. This controversy prompted a response from his successor on the set of Canal Football Club.

On Canal+, Bertrand Latour had congratulated himself on the failure of Kylian Mbappé's campaign. He said : « I’m glad he didn’t give in to the whims of a global football star, the France Football jury who were forced to vote for him. »

Philippe Diallo backs Mbappé and French team in China controversy

Pierre Ménès replied this Wednesday on his YouTube channel. He asserted : « I think that when you have to shout to make your opinion heard, something is wrong. What shocks me a lot is that he is still the guy who is detached from the French national team and will certainly go to ask a question to (Kylian) Mbappé next time. »

He added : « If I were Mbappé, I would give him his little package at the next press conference of the French. And I say again that only in France do we see a journalist from a major network allow themselves such a remark about the captain of his national team. […] I can’t help finding this lamentable and shameful, but it doesn’t surprise me coming from him. » Bertrand Latour replied on X saying : « Drop it, Pierrot the football. »

Pierre Ménès defends Mbappé against Bertrand Latour's attacks

This exchange generated an incalculable number of negative comments. We must wait for a possible response from Kylian Mbappé, perhaps at the next gathering of the French.