Hugo Lloris has commented on Harry Kane's Ballon d'Or 2026 win, with his words interpreted as indirect criticism of Kylian Mbappé. The former France captain praised the winner for his team-oriented qualities, reigniting debate about internal tensions within the national team.
The former goalkeeper, who wore the armband for over a decade, said: "Déjà, le Ballon d’Or d’Ousmane Dembélé avait récompensé un joueur tourné vers le collectif, comme pour Karim Benzema en 2022."
These remarks were seen as a coded message aimed at Mbappé, who was Kane's main rival for the trophy. Vincent García, the editor-in-chief of France Football, confirmed the vote was incredibly close, with a smaller gap than the one between Rodri and Vinícius in 2024. Mbappé had led the race for a long time before Kane ultimately won.
Analyst Dave Appadoo argued Lloris's comments were not innocent. "He is far too intelligent. He knows the situation too well to not realise that when Harry Kane is competing with (Kylian) Mbappé, it's going to reflect on what Mbappé is not, meaning everything Harry Kane does. The consequence is that it's a tackle," he stated.
This controversy comes as Les Bleus are in strong form. They are unbeaten in their last four matches, with three wins and a draw. Their latest victory, a comprehensive 4-1 win over Belgium in early October, featured a Michael Olise brace. Kylian Mbappé remains the team's most decisive player with 10 goals in 8 appearances this season, a status that contrasts with the former captain's insinuations.
The squad now prepares for its next fixture, an away match against Italy on November 12th. The atmosphere within the dressing room, often closely examined, will be an element to watch during this gathering, especially as the team's recent collective performances have been excellent.
Background and full detail: Sports.fr
