Papin criticizes Mbappé's arrogance before the Ballon d'Or

Thirteen days before the Ballon d’Or gala, the football world is waiting to discover who will succeed Ousmane Dembélé, crowned in 2025. The former striker of Olympique de Marseille, Jean‑Pierre Papin, was asked about the favourites for this edition and gave his opinion on Kylian Mbappé’s candidacy.

An attitude deemed excessive

Despite his status as a serious contender, the Real Madrid striker has sparked strong reactions in recent months because of communication perceived as too insistent. Papin reminded that “it’s ‘me, me, me and me’”, and that one cannot always proclaim oneself alone worthy of the trophy.

“In his com’, at one point it was: ‘No one but me deserves the Ballon d’Or’. It was ‘too much’ for me,” said the 1991 Ballon d’Or winner on France Télévisions. He added that this criterion does not match Kylian, even though the rest of his game remains excellent.

Papin’s favourite

For the same expert, the most logical choice is Harry Kane, England captain and centre‑forward of Bayern Munich, author of a completed 2025‑26 season with his two teams. “Harry Kane, there is nothing going wrong today,” concluded the native of Boulogne‑sur‑Mer.