Lloris comments on Ballon d'Or winner profile

Hugo Lloris, former captain of the French national team, made remarks about the profile of the 2026 Ballon d'Or winner, which some have interpreted as a subtle jab at Kylian Mbappé. He highlighted the collective-oriented nature of the 2023 winner, Ousmane Dembélé, and emphasized that Harry Kane, the 2026 winner, is more than just a goal-scoring machine.

Debate over Lloris’s remarks

The comments sparked debate on L’Équipe channel, with journalist Dave Appadoo suggesting that Lloris was fully aware of the implications of his words. Appadoo argued that Lloris’s statement was not accidental and could be seen as a deliberate jab at Mbappé, even if not explicitly stated.

Historical tensions resurface

The discussion brought back memories of the time Kylian Mbappé joined the French national team. Étienne Moatti noted that Lloris and Mbappé were not entirely aligned within the team, with Lloris associated with players like Olivier Giroud and Antoine Griezmann.

Tensions between camps

Moatti added that there were rifts between Mbappé and players like Giroud and Griezmann, who were close to Lloris. He suggested that Lloris’s comments were a subtle jab at Mbappé and his group, highlighting the divisions that existed within the French team during that period.