Sports
Kylian Mbappé's intensive media campaign in pursuit of the Ballon d'Or award has sparked a sense of reservation and discontent within the corridors of Real Madrid. Reports indicate clear observations regarding the style the French star is employing to manage his personal campaign for the prestigious accolade, opening a new front within the royal club. In this context, Mbappé recently paused his media tour following an intense period of activity, during which he conducted a wide array of interviews with French and international media outlets. These efforts come as part of his vigorous quest to bolster his chances of winning the Ballon d'Or for 2026, and he is scheduled to resume his media engagements after the French national team's match against Turkey. In recent days, the captain of the French national team has become a prominent name in the global media landscape, appearing across reputable platforms and outlets such as "L'Équipe," "AS," "Radio France Internationale," and "CNN." Despite not having secured major titles with his new team, Real Madrid, thus far, Mbappé continues to champion his prospects of clinching the esteemed award. He bases his case on his remarkable scoring statistics, being among the top scorers in La Liga and the UEFA Champions League, in addition to his achievements in the World Cup. Conversely, some critics argue that the player has not been decisive enough in certain major matchups, while former stars like Thierry Henry and Roberto Carlos consider Mbappé a strong contender for the award. In a related development, Real Madrid has maintained silence to date, not issuing any clear official stance regarding Mbappé's chances of winning the Ballon d'Or, unlike other clubs such as Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Paris Saint-Germain, which have openly declared their support for their nominees. It is worth noting that the royal club had boycotted the Ballon d'Or ceremony since 2024, following Vinicius Jr.'s loss of the award to Rodri. Despite recent indications of a potential return to the ceremony by the club, such as its publication of supportive messages and photos for its nominated players in various categories, this does not specifically apply to Mbappé's situation. Regarding the internal position, press reports suggest that Real Madrid's management does not appear fully convinced of Mbappé's chances of winning. Information has indicated that the club briefly considered traveling to London to attend the ceremony before retracting this idea. It is noteworthy that these reports spoke of a state of discontent within the royal club concerning Mbappé's approach to managing his Ballon d'Or campaign, describing it as "exaggerated." A source within Real Madrid was quoted as saying: "He is begging for votes for the Ballon d'Or," with the caveat that these statements remain attributed to media sources, in the absence of any official comment from the club or the player. Mbappé thus finds himself fighting the Ballon d'Or race on multiple fronts; while he strives to enhance his statistical performance and media presence, he simultaneously faces criticism regarding his campaign management style, all while his club, Real Madrid, chooses to remain silent and not openly engage in this competition.
