Lizarazu turns admiration into rebuke as Mbappé’s ego sparks criticism

Since Kylian Mbappé burst onto the senior stage, Bixente Lizarazu has praised the Bondy‑born prodigy. In recent weeks the former 1998 World Cup champion has turned that admiration into a sharp rebuke, questioning the France captain’s attitude and his self‑centred push for the Ballon d’Or undermines the collective spirit of the Bleus.

Lizarazu works as a leading consultant for TF1, the official broadcaster of the France team. In that capacity he regularly appears alongside the captain during post‑match reaction programmes.

Mais Lizarazu has not hidden his disappointment in recent weeks. He said, “La réponse de Dembélé, est ce que c’est une réponse humoristique à ce qu’avait déclaré Mbappé…”, suggesting the striker’s comment was a tongue‑in‑cheek jab at Mbappé’s self‑promotion.

Defensive work under fire

Lizarazu warned that the captain’s ego‑centric approach could create tension within the squad. He added that when the Ballon d’Or is awarded, the focus should shift away from individual accolades.

Lizarazu sounds the alarm, Dembélé must become more decisive

He bluntly stated, “Un joueur comme Kylian Mbappé, on sait qu’il est très efficace pour marquer des buts mais, défensivement, il ne sert pas à grand‑chose”. The former defender therefore doubts Mbappé’s value on the defensive phase.

Nevertheless, Lizarazu concedes that the captain is a prolific scorer, comparing him favourably with Ousmane Dembélé. He urged the Ballon d’Or contender to increase his goal tally for France while reducing his defensive shortcomings.

In sum, Lizarazu’s long‑standing admiration has turned into a measured critique, recognising Mbappé’s attacking brilliance but demanding greater defensive commitment. The debate highlights the tension between individual glory and team cohesion for the Bleus.