Former France international Jerome Rothen criticised Kylian Mbappe after the Ballon d'Or ceremony. GOAL reported that Rothen suggested Mbappe's second-place finish was helped by a campaign for votes.
Rothen's view on the ranking
GOAL reported that Rothen said Mbappe had moved away from his usual approach and run an active campaign through communication. Rothen said: "He ran a real campaign, unlike usual. even the players who were competing with him didn't dare to run a campaign like his. He tried to rally votes through a speech, through communication. That's new. For me, it's beyond comperhension. I think it was effevtive. It's sad to say because me, i'm against this campaign. it's clear he wouldn't have finished second without this campaign."
Claim over communication
GOAL reported that Rothen claimed Mbappe departed from his usual approach to actively lobby for votes through communication.
Call to refocus on the team
Rothen said: "This self-reflection is necessary after missing out on the Ballon d'Or. In his approach, he needs to refocus on the team, to win the hearts of the dressing room. That's what he's lacking."