Kylian Mbappe’s Ballon d’Or campaign puts focus on his ties to Africa

Kylian Mbappe has openly stated his desire to win the Ballon d’Or, but a recent interview in which he highlighted his African heritage has prompted questions about whether he is also targeting votes from the continent.

With Africa accounting for 20% of the award’s electorate, the timing of the France captain’s comments to RFI has attracted attention.

Mbappe, the son of a Cameroonian father and an Algerian mother, has long spoken about his connection to Africa. He visited Cameroon in 2023 and has repeatedly underlined the importance of his roots, rather than only doing so during this year’s Ballon d’Or campaign.

“I have always been brought up with African culture, even though I was born in France and have done everything there,” he said. “I have never broken the link with my roots and my origins.”

“Whenever I go to Africa, I am always extremely well received. I feel the love of the people, and it is really rewarding to feel the support of an entire continent.”

The Real Madrid forward also recalled attending the most recent Africa Cup of Nations, where he went to support his close friend Achraf Hakimi. He added that he had also watched Cote d’Ivoire-Cameroon.

Mbappe used the interview to challenge negative perceptions of African football. Asked about comments from Rudi Garcia, who suggested after Belgium-Senegal at the World Cup that African teams could lose their tactical structure late in matches, Mbappe defended the continent’s national sides.

“What I know is that playing against African teams is very difficult,” he said. “They have realised that they can beat anyone.”

The interview took a more pointed turn when RFI reminded Mbappe that 20% of Ballon d’Or voters are from Africa and asked what message he wanted to send them.

“First, I want to thank them for the support they have given me throughout all these years,” he replied. “I hope I can leave with the Ballon d’Or and, in one way or another, dedicate it to them.”

Mbappe was answering a direct question about his background, but the remarks also carry an obvious electoral significance as he pursues his first Ballon d’Or. The choice of RFI, a French-language broadcaster with a substantial African audience, shortly before the vote adds to that impression.

The message is clear: he has been supported by Africa, regards himself as one of its own and would make the trophy partly theirs if he wins.

However, Mbappe is internationally recognised as a French footballer. He was born and developed in France, chose to represent the country, became a world champion with Les Bleus and is now their captain. His African heritage and sporting nationality are separate realities.

That distinction was also reflected when he was asked about his brother Ethan, who could represent Algeria or Cameroon. “When we talk about representing a country, we must talk about the love and history we have with that country, not only a sporting project,” Mbappe said.

A recent example may also be relevant. After Ousmane Dembele won the 2025 Ballon d’Or, his Mauritanian mother said she would take the trophy to Africa and called it “the Ballon d’Or of all Africa”.

Mbappe, a contender to succeed his compatriot, is unlikely to have missed the symbolism. His attachment to Africa clearly predates the campaign, but the timing of his message suggests the France captain also understands the value of reaching voters at the right moment.