Sports
Papin criticizes Mbappé's Ballon d'Or campaign, backs Kane
October 13, 2026 at 07:26 AM
Jean-Pierre Papin, the 1991 Ballon d'Or winner, has criticized Kylian Mbappé's media handling of this year's race and said he favors Harry Kane.
- Papin said Mbappé's public discourse became "me, me, me, and me," stressing that voters decide the award.
- Papin said Mbappé had claimed no one else deserved the Ballon d'Or, a stance he called excessive.
- Papin said the award's criteria on media presentation do not work in Mbappé's favor.
- Papin said he backs England's Harry Kane; the 2026 winner will be announced on 26 October.