Mbappe drops BOMBSHELL on France with Ballon d’Or announcement

Robin Bairner

12 Oct 2024 15:10 BST
3 min read

Kylian Mbappe, Real Madrid, 2024/25 — © IMAGO

Kylian Mbappe’s reputation in France continues to tumble, with claims that the Real Madrid striker is ready to prioritise his Ballon d’Or ambition over Les Bleus set to do him no favours.

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The 25-year-old is sitting out Les Bleus’ fixtures in the Nations League this week, with claims in Spain he was planning a ‘mini pre-season’ as he was unhappy with his form in his first weeks since joining Real Madrid.

Instead, the France captain was spotted going to a nightclub in Stockholm, Sweden, while Didier Deschamps’ men were beating Israel 4-1 last Thursday.

It transpired that Real Madrid had granted him a week of holiday, and while Mbappe was back training on Saturday, revelations made by FootMercato will cause a stir in his homeland.

“The player had already warned during the last international break in September that he would not be here for this one in October,” it is claimed. “The striker spoke openly about it and Les Bleus were aware of it.”

While this is perhaps natural given the intense schedule that Mbappe, in particular, has faced over the summer due to his participation in Euro 2024 and the stress of his transfer to Real Madrid, the cloak-and-dagger manner in which he has done it will win him few friends in his homeland.

© IMAGO - Kylian Mbappe is France's captain

Ballon d'Or target

Similarly, reports that he is prepared to select his matches with the national team will not go down well either.

“Mbappe has made the 2025 Ballon d’Or his priority and would ideally like to play only important matches with France,” it is stated. “One thing is certain, if the malaise continues to grow between the former PSG player and his international team, Mbappe is, for his part, more determined to succeed in a Real Madrid jersey.”

This attitude will only win him fans in the Spanish capital, but it will be treated coldly by those in his homeland, where Mbappe’s reputation has taken a battering in recent months.