Umtiti blasts Mbappe for claiming he’d vote himself for Ballon d’Or

Former Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti criticised Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe after Mbappe said he would vote for himself if he had a Ballon d’Or vote. Speaking on RMC’s After Foot, Umtiti said it is not up to the France captain to decide the winner and urged Mbappe to focus on his performances on the pitch. He described Mbappe as self‑assured but insisted the award decision should not come from the player himself. The exchange highlights an ongoing debate about player self‑voting in football’s top individual honour, especially as the 2026 Ballon d’Or race intensifies. For Nigerian football fans, the controversy raises questions about confidence versus humility among elite athletes and whether personal accolades should influence award voting. With the Ballon d’Or ceremony later this year, such discussions could shape public perception of contenders and affect how supporters view their favourite players’ attitudes. Should players be allowed to vote for themselves in the Ballon d’Or, or does that undermine the award’s credibility?

SOURCE: https://dailypost.ng/2026/09/10/ballon-dor-2026-you-cant-decide-winner-samuel-umtiti-blasts-mbappe/