Former Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti has commented on the public discourse surrounding Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé regarding the 2026 Ballon d’Or. The remarks from Umtiti, a World Cup 2026 winner with France, touched on how Lionel Messi approached discussions about the prestigious award during their time together at Barcelona.
The controversy emerged after an interview Mbappé gave to “France Football,” the magazine that has presented the Ballon d’Or since 1956. In the interview, the Real Madrid and France forward stated, “Dembélé was always seen as a talented player, whereas I, on the other hand, was always considered the chosen one.” This comment drew a swift response from Dembélé, who countered, “I was never seen as the chosen one, but I worked hard, and last year I was rewarded with a wonderful season with Paris Saint-Germain.”
Umtiti’s Perspective on the Ballon d’Or Debate
Umtiti weighed in on the matter, noting a difference in approach compared to his former teammate. He stated, “At Barcelona, I never saw Messi talk about the Ballon d’Or in this way.” Umtiti highlighted that Messi holds the record for winning the award, with eight victories. He further elaborated, as reported by “Mundo Deportivo,” that during his tenure at Barcelona, Messi did not make similar public statements about the award. Umtiti expressed difficulty in fully understanding Mbappé’s comments, suggesting they might upset some of his teammates.
Despite his initial observations, Umtiti also offered a nuanced interpretation of Mbappé’s words. He suggested that Mbappé’s statements might have been taken out of context, noting that Mbappé had previously praised Dembélé. Umtiti emphasized the distinct personalities of the two players, stating, “Ousmane is not Kylian, and vice versa.” He added that Mbappé has a unique way of expressing himself, which sometimes requires a broader understanding of his intentions.
Umtiti concluded that Mbappé’s remarks ultimately focused on Dembélé’s talent. He pointed out that few anticipated Ousmane winning the Ballon d’Or, with many expecting Kylian to be the recipient. Umtiti suggested that Mbappé’s comments were truthful and that there was no reason for anger between the players.
Mbappé’s Confidence and Individual Achievements
Separately, Kylian Mbappé expressed confidence in his own candidacy for the Ballon d’Or, even after a season without club silverware with Real Madrid and a semifinal exit for France in the World Cup against Spain. In an interview with France Football, the Real Madrid player stated his belief that his performances merited recognition as the world’s best player. He mentioned that winning the award this year is a short-term goal for him.
Mbappé acknowledged that some might point to his lack of trophies for club or country but argued that the Ballon d’Or is an individual award. He noted that a winner is rarely elected unanimously, implying that there is always some disagreement over who deserves it. He scored 15 goals in the Champions League and 25 in La Liga. He also increased his World Cup goal tally to 22, becoming the competition’s all-time leading scorer.
Reflecting on his performance, Mbappé asserted, “There was no player better than me.” He highlighted his goal-scoring record in major competitions, including the World Cup, and the significance of surpassing Lionel Messi’s record for career goals in the tournament. He described this achievement as special, especially considering Messi’s status as one of the greatest players in history alongside Cristiano Ronaldo. Mbappé considers such achievements to be distinct.
He also praised the appointment of Zinedine Zidane as France’s head coach, succeeding Didier Deschamps. Mbappé described Zidane as a legend and a symbol of elegance and greatness for the French nation, noting his significant impact on the national team’s history as a player.
The winner of the Ballon d’Or is expected to be announced at the London Palladium on October 26.
Source: goal.com
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