French journalist: I hope the Ballon d'Or voting avoids an unprecedented disgrace

2026-10-26 16:42 © AFP

French journalist Bertrand Latour has harshly criticized the possibility of awarding Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé the 2026 Ballon d’Or.

In his opinion, such a decision would be shameful because the Frenchman has not won any trophies this year.

"You are all waiting for just one thing—for him to win the Ballon d’Or in a year when he won nothing,” Latour said on a television show.

He later gave an even harsher assessment of such a possibility.

"I’m telling you, it would be a shameful Ballon d’Or,” the journalist continued.

He made no secret of his hope that the decision would be made after properly assessing the situation.

"As it happens, the person who will award the Ballon d’Or is one of my best friends.

So I’m completely at ease, and I told him: if you give the award to him, it will be a Ballon d’Or of shame. I hope he keeps a clear head,” Latour said.

The Ballon d’Or ceremony will take place in London on October 26.