Mbappé loses Ballon d'Or 2026 to Kane: Ménès and Latour clash violently over his case

Kylian Mbappé did not win the 2026 Ballon d’Or, with Harry Kane being preferred by the France Football jury. This result triggered a fierce controversy between two figures of French sports journalism: Bertrand Latour and Pierre Ménès.

On Canal+, Latour openly expressed his satisfaction at the failure of the France captain’s campaign. “I’m pleased that he didn’t give in to the whims of a world football star, the France Football jury to whom we forced the hand to vote for him,” he declared, making a barely veiled accusation of pressure being exerted on voters.

These remarks provoked a direct response from Pierre Ménès, who defended the Real Madrid player on his YouTube channel. “I think that when you have to shout to make your opinion heard, it means something is wrong,” he said, before highlighting Latour’s particular position. “What really shocks me is that he’s still the guy covering the France team and he’ll probably go ask Mbappé a question next time.”

Ménès went further, implicitly advising the player to put the journalist in his place at the next France press conference. “It’s only in France that you see a journalist from a major channel allow himself to make such an outburst about his national team’s captain. I can’t help but find that pathetic and shameful,” he concluded.

Bertrand Latour replied briefly on X with a cutting “Drop it Pierrot the football,” a message that sparked many negative reactions. The exchange illustrates persistent tensions around Mbappé in the French media landscape, as the player is also going through a turbulent period, notably due to a controversy linked to remarks made in China. A possible reaction from the main interested party could come at the next France team gathering.