Booba warns: Mbappé could 'sweep' Ballon d'Or despite disappointing performances

Rapper Booba has warned his followers against a potential victory for Kylian Mbappé at the 2026 Ballon d’Or, whose ceremony will be held on October 26 in London. In an Instagram story, the artist — one of the most regular detractors of the France captain — suggested that the result could be skewed by commercial interests.

“Guys don’t be surprised if Kyky sweeps the Ballon d’Or. Given the arrogance and confidence he has, given the corruption, given the state of FIFzer and the planet. There’s a chance it could be rigged,” he wrote. He then developed his theory: “It could be rigged just to sell jerseys, my guy, because in one world, he cuts lemons. So I’m saying, be careful. You never know!”

This position comes as Mbappé has been running an active communications campaign for the vote for several weeks, an unprecedented level of media lobbying in the trophy’s history. While some observers view this approach as counterproductive, Booba sees it instead as a sign that the Real Madrid striker could indeed win it.

The Ballon d’Or ceremony will be held this year for the first time outside Paris, where it usually took place at the Théâtre du Châtelet. London will host the 70th anniversary edition of the trophy, organized in tribute to Stanley Matthews, the first winner in 1956.