France 1998 World Cup winner Christophe Dugarry has launched a scathing attack on Kylian Mbappe, criticising the Real Madrid forward for publicly campaigning for his first Ballon d'Or ahead of the club's Champions League opener against Inter Milan.
Speaking before the fixture, Mbappe suggested the timing could finally be right for him to claim the award.
"I think when you play for Real Madrid, the best club in the world, people associate you with this award. There are many people that speak about me and the Ballon d'Or," he said.
The France captain, who broke the all time World Cup goals record this summer while becoming the first player ever to retain the Golden Boot, made clear he rated his own chances highly.
To publicly ask for an individual award like that, I find it childish and pathetic. There's nothing great about asking for it, especially as captain of your national team.Christophe Dugarry, former France footballer
"I always think I'm the best player in the world, but everyone has their own opinion. Maybe people think different ways. I don't think it's a discussion we need to have. Of course this year could be good for me to win the Ballon d'Or. But journalists vote," he said.
Dugarry, who won 55 caps for France and played in the country's 1998 World Cup final victory over Brazil, was withering in his response on the RMC podcast Rothen s'enflamme.
"To publicly ask for an individual award like that, I find it childish and pathetic. There's nothing great about asking for it, especially as captain of your national team," he said.
The former striker also argued this year's award lacked an obvious standout candidate, making Mbappe's public confidence even harder to justify.
"This was a season in which no player truly stood out. No player won everything, neither at team nor individual level. No one produced such an outstanding performance that you could say his victory would be obvious and certain," he said.
Dugarry linked the episode to a broader shift he sees in the modern game, one prioritising individual recognition over collective achievement.
"Football is becoming more and more individualistic, and far too often it makes me sick. Instead of talking about yourself and individual awards, you should be talking about the team, about sharing success and about the trophies you didn't win but wanted to win together," he said.
He did, however, offer a small concession towards Mbappe by the end of his remarks, acknowledging the confidence behind the comments even while rejecting the approach itself.
"I still understand, even if I generally do not agree with this approach, that he thinks he is the best player in the world," he said.
Mbappe's best previous finish in Ballon d'Or voting came in 2023, when he placed third behind Erling Haaland and eventual winner Lionel Messi, who claimed the award for a record extending eighth time.
Last year's prize went to his French national teammate Ousmane Dembele, becoming the country's sixth ever Ballon d'Or recipient.
Despite failing to win the Champions League during his time at Paris Saint Germain, a gap in his resume some critics still point to, Mbappe remains among the most productive attackers in world football, having scored 42 goals in 44 appearances for Real Madrid last season.
The Ballon d'Or itself, presented annually by France Football magazine since 1966, is decided by a jury of 100 journalists, one representing each country inside FIFA's top 100 world rankings.