Former France Football chief reveals Ballon d’Or pressure claims and questions Mbappe candidacy

Former France Football editor Pascal Ferre has revealed previously undisclosed stories about the Ballon d’Or, including an alleged attempt to influence the voting and his conversations with winners Luka Modric and Karim Benzema.

Ferre, who was responsible for overseeing the award between 1996 and 2023, made the comments in an interview with Spanish newspaper Marca following the publication of his book, The Hidden Face of the Ballon d’Or.

“The Ballon d’Or is a rumour factory and there are a lot of lies,” Ferre said.

He also addressed long-standing claims that Florentino Perez, president of Real Madrid, tries to influence the award in favour of the club’s players.

“Perez likes the award, but he never sent me a message or hinted at anything indirectly,” Ferre said, according to Portuguese newspaper Record.

However, Ferre said he had experienced an approach from the agent of a nominated player.

“The player’s agent had put forward his client’s qualities before asking me whether he could promote his candidacy to the jury. Of course, I said no,” he said.

Ferre then described what happened afterwards.

“I stood up from the table to answer a phone call and, when I returned, there was an envelope on the table. I picked it up and left it at reception. I do not know what was inside. I have met the agent since then and he has never mentioned it.”

Ferre did not identify the agent or the player involved.

Modric’s tears and Benzema’s silence

Asked to name the two most memorable calls he made to Ballon d’Or winners, Ferre chose Luka Modric in 2018 and Karim Benzema in 2022.

“Once the votes had been counted, I called Luka Modric, but he did not answer. A few minutes later, he called me back and I told him. He was silent at first and then began to cry,” Ferre said.

“He later admitted that he was so emotional he could not speak.”

Ferre recalled a very different reaction from Benzema.

“With Karim Benzema, I was surprised by how calm he was during the call. A few days later, he apologised and explained what had happened: ‘I wanted to scream, but I was surrounded by team-mates and knew I had to keep it secret.’”

The winner now learns they have been selected only on the day of the ceremony. Ferre believes the change has both advantages and disadvantages.

“It is a good idea because it guarantees excitement and suspense. At the same time, it is not very practical for clubs and players, although it adds to the magic of the Ballon d’Or,” he said.

Ferre questions Mbappe case

With only weeks remaining before this year’s winner is announced in London, where the ceremony is scheduled for 26 October, Ferre compared the campaigns of Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal.

“I think Kylian Mbappe had a better campaign than Lamine Yamal, but the Ballon d’Or is not requested; it is earned,” he said.

“The jurors are independent and experienced. Honestly, I do not think Mbappe’s campaign was particularly effective.”

Ferre added: “He is a great player, but I would not vote for him. He was among the few nominees who did not win any titles. It seems strange to me that the best player in the world could be someone who won nothing this season. Football remains a team sport.”