French football superstar Kylian Mbappé has reportedly faced criticism in China following his reaction to Harry Kane’s victory at the 2026 Ballon d’Or awards.
Kane, the Bayern Munich and England striker, emerged as the winner of the men’s award at Monday’s ceremony in London, beating Mbappé and Barcelona youngster Lamine Yamal to the prestigious individual honour.
Mbappé finished second in the rankings despite an impressive individual campaign for Real Madrid, while Yamal secured third place.
The French forward had enjoyed another prolific season, recording 42 goals in 44 appearances for Real Madrid across all competitions. However, his side’s failure to secure major trophies during the campaign appeared to weaken his chances of claiming the award.
Kane, on the other hand, enjoyed a remarkable season with Bayern Munich, scoring 61 goals in 51 appearances for the German club and helping the team secure domestic silverware.
Following the announcement, Mbappé congratulated Kane on his achievement. However, the gesture reportedly attracted criticism from some football followers in China, turning the Frenchman’s reaction into a talking point online.
The incident has added to the debate surrounding the Ballon d’Or results, with fans continuing to discuss whether individual statistics or team achievements should carry greater weight when deciding the world’s best player.
Kane’s triumph also marks a major milestone for English football, as he becomes the first Englishman to win the men’s Ballon d’Or since Michael Owen claimed the award in 2001.
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