Bixente Lizarazu criticizes Kylian Mbappe over Ballon d’Or campaign

London Balloting Misses Kylian Mbappe by Twenty-Eight Points

Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe lost the 2026 Ballon d’Or in London by a narrow 28-point margin to Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane, sports.yahoo.com reported. Mbappe entered the ceremony as a leading contender after scoring heavily for his club, but finished second behind the England captain in the voting results.

The razor-thin gap represents the closest individual margin in recent award history. Yet the narrow defeat immediately sparked sharp debate regarding the Frenchman’s public approach to individual milestones.

Bixente Lizarazu Questions the Real Madrid Star’s Attitude

Former France international Bixente Lizarazu publicly criticized Mbappe’s campaign strategy, arguing that the forward shifted his focus away from collective team success. Speaking to Franceinfo following the ceremony, Lizarazu said the striker engaged in self-promotion.

“He had a good World Cup, and I thought he was consistent in his role as France captain, with a message focused on teamwork,” Lizarazu stated. “लेकिन during the Ballon d’Or campaign, he completely lost control.”

Lizarazu added that the public campaign created an impression that individual accolades outweighed team achievements. “We were left with the impression that he was the only one who mattered, as though the others didn’t exist,” he said.

Trophy Drought Undermines Individual Goal Tallies

The debate over Mbappe’s candidacy ultimately hinged on collective silverware. While the forward maintained high scoring numbers through the season, Real Madrid and France failed to capture a single major trophy.

“Kylian Mbappe has gone through periods when he hasn’t managed to make his team win,” Lizarazu argued. “He scores a lot of goals, but he has to make his team win. That is the most important thing.”

Despite the lack of team trophies, supporters point to high-profile performances, such as his decisive brace against Barcelona, as proof of his elite big-game capability. Manager Jose Mourinho and the Madrid hierarchy continue to shape the tactical setup around the forward to secure titles at the Santiago Bernabéu.

Frequently Asked Questions About the 2026 Vote

Who won the 2026 Ballon d’Or ahead of Kylian Mbappe?

Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane won the award, defeating Mbappe by a margin of 28 points at the ceremony in London.

What specific criticism did Bixente Lizarazu level against Mbappe?

Lizarazu criticized the forward for prioritizing self-promotion and individual achievements over team cohesion during the voting campaign.

Can Kylian Mbappe still win the award in future years?

If Mbappe replicates his scoring output while securing team trophies for club and country, analysts expect him to contend strongly for the 2027 Ballon d’Or.

More on Ballon: Ballon d'Or 2026: Date, Nominees, Live Stream, and How to Watch · Harry Kane Wins Ballon d'Or After Record Bayern Munich Season · Cristiano Ronaldo Tops Ballon d'Or Fan Poll Over Messi