An 'image deficit' for Mbappé? 'We sometimes prefer smoother people,' says Drogba

Drogba defends Mbappé after Kane's narrow Ballon d'Or win, suggesting an 'image deficit' may have cost the Real Madrid forward the award.

Harry Kane won the 2026 Ballon d'Or by just 28 points over Kylian Mbappé, one of the closest margins in the award's history. Didier Drogba, who hosted the ceremony from 2019 to 2024, defended his "favourite" Mbappé in an interview with Le Parisien, suggesting the French captain's public profile may have worked against him.

Drogba noted that Mbappé has been performing at the highest level with Real Madrid and questioned why Kane, who hasn't won the Champions League, edged him out. He attributed part of the gap to what he called an "image deficit," pointing to Mbappé's willingness to speak candidly in interviews—notably telling France Football "there was no better player than me"—and his political activism, which contrasts with Kane's more reserved public presence.

Mbappé has faced criticism in recent months over a controversial trip to Sardinia, a nightclub outing in Paris after leaving the France squad with injury, and various political statements. Drogba argued that France is particularly harsh on Mbappé and politically engaged players in general, saying "we sometimes prefer smoother players."

He urged Mbappé to remain authentic rather than change his personality. The striker has scored 17 goals in 16 matches for Real Madrid this season and is expected to feature for France against Turkey in the Nations League on Sunday.