Drogba says Mbappe’s Ballon d’Or defeat was shaped by ‘negative image’

Didier Drogba believes Kylian Mbappe’s public image and the intense media scrutiny surrounding him may have contributed to his failure to win the 2026 Ballon d’Or.

The France captain finished second behind England striker Harry Kane, missing out by only 28 points. Drogba, the Ivory Coast football legend and former Ballon d’Or ceremony presenter, said Mbappe’s outspoken personality had sometimes worked against him in France.

Kane enjoyed an outstanding season, scoring 73 goals and providing eight assists as Bayern Munich won the Bundesliga, the German Cup and the German Super Cup.

His victory made him the first English player to claim the award since Michael Owen in 2001, ending a wait of 25 years.

Mbappe, meanwhile, made a major impact at the World Cup. He led France to fourth place, finished as the tournament’s top scorer with 10 goals and moved clear as the leading goalscorer in World Cup history. Kane scored six goals and helped England take the bronze medal.

However, Mbappe ended the season without a trophy at Real Madrid, while Kane dominated domestic football in Germany with Bayern Munich. That contrast was another significant factor in the Ballon d’Or voting.

Speaking to Le Parisien, Drogba said Mbappe might have won the award twice in succession had France lifted the World Cup.

“I think that if Mbappe had won the World Cup, he would have won the Ballon d’Or two years in a row,” he said.

“It was extremely close, especially because he has been performing brilliantly with Real Madrid. Harry Kane did not win the Champions League either. I do not know I am trying to understand what happened.”

Drogba suggested the reaction to Mbappe away from the pitch could also have influenced voters.

“Perhaps it is also connected to the negative image that has been created around him,” he said. “In France, we are particularly harsh on Mbappe, and generally on players who express strong opinions. Mbappe is one of those players.”

The former striker said supporters could be more sympathetic towards footballers who appear quieter and less controversial.

“Sometimes we prefer players who present themselves as more polite and balanced,” Drogba added. “But there is no point trying to change Mbappe’s personality, because his true nature will emerge sooner or later.”

He urged Mbappe to remain authentic rather than adapt himself to satisfy his critics.

“He must stay true to himself, even if that means facing a real battle,” Drogba said.

Mbappe is second in the La Liga scoring charts this season with 13 goals, behind Raphinha, who leads the list with 15. Across all competitions, he has played 16 matches for Real Madrid, scoring 17 goals and creating three more.