French journalist Bertrand Latour has strongly criticised the possibility of Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé winning the 2026 Ballon d’Or, arguing that the France captain does not deserve the prestigious individual award because he failed to win any trophies during the year.

Latour described the prospect of Mbappé lifting the award as “shameful,” insisting that the forward’s lack of silverware should count against him in the race for football’s most prestigious individual honour.

The journalist made the comments on Sunday while appearing on Canal Football Club, a football programme broadcast on Canal+, ahead of the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony scheduled to take place in London on Monday.

During the discussion, Latour expressed frustration over the possibility that Mbappé could emerge as the winner despite not securing any major trophies over the course of the year.

“You are all just waiting for one thing, for him [Kylian Mbappé] to win the Ballon d’Or in a year when he hasn’t won anything,” Latour said on the programme.

He added, “I am telling you, that would be a shameful Ballon d’Or.”

Latour’s remarks have brought renewed attention to the debate over the criteria used to determine the Ballon d’Or winner, particularly the importance of team trophies compared with individual performances.

Mbappé remains one of the leading contenders for the 2026 award, having established himself as one of the most prominent forwards in world football. However, his prospects face competition from other high-profile players who have also been tipped for the honour.

Among his principal rivals are Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane and Barcelona youngster Lamine Yamal, both of whom are also in contention for the prestigious award.

The competition has generated debate among football observers over whether the Ballon d’Or should primarily recognise individual brilliance, goalscoring performances and consistency, or place greater emphasis on collective achievements and major trophies won during the season.

Latour’s criticism reflects the view that winning silverware should carry significant weight in the selection process. From that perspective, a player’s individual statistics and performances may not be enough to secure the award if they are not accompanied by team success.

However, the Ballon d’Or is an individual honour, and the absence of major trophies does not automatically rule a player out of contention. Individual performances, influence on matches and overall contributions during the assessment period can also shape voters’ decisions.

With the ceremony approaching, attention is focused on whether Mbappé can overcome the criticism and secure the award, or whether one of his competitors will emerge as the eventual winner.

Latour’s comments have added another layer to the discussion surrounding the 2026 Ballon d’Or race, with the debate highlighting the differing opinions over what should matter most when recognising the world’s outstanding footballer.