Rothen attacks the campaign attributed to Mbappé, calling it “a farce”

As the award ceremony approaches, Kylian Mbappé is facing particularly fierce criticism in France. Former footballer Jerome Rothen said that if the forward were to win the trophy, “it would be a joke” and he would “find himself very alone.”

The debate comes as media positioning around the award intensifies. Despite a collective season considered disappointing, Mbappé’s individual performances for Real Madrid and France are generating support in his favour. The player himself had said he would be disappointed not to win, believing nobody had been better than him last season.

That narrative does not convince every observer, including in France. Speaking on RMC, Rothen accused Mbappé of trying to “buy votes” to secure the trophy, using particularly blunt language to condemn his pursuit of it.

The former player went further, saying that a Mbappé triumph would seem “a farce” to him. According to Rothen, that view is shared not only by lesser-known players but also by major figures in football. Rothen added that he now sees confirmation of a genuine campaign led by Mbappé and his entourage.

Daniel Riolo joined the criticism. The journalist said he did not understand the campaign, while acknowledging that he understood its ultimate objective. Without describing the award as devalued, he said the way this success would be built, should it materialise, would leave “a bitter taste.”