Former Real Madrid star midfielder Claude Makelele was once the engine of the team and redefined the defensive midfield position, so when he talks about players today or gives his opinion about the club, it is held in high regard.
During the 2026 World Cup, Makelele has been talking a lot about his compatriot Kylian Mbappe, praising the French striker so effusively that he has even come off critical of other Real Madrid stars, specifically those playing in the midfield.
Before Mbappe's World Cup semifinal battle with the Spanish national team defense, Makelele was full of high praise again, stating that he is tabbing Mbappe to win the Ballon d'Or and would like to see him win the prize this season for his performances at the World Cup despite not leading the Merengues to any trophies in 2025/26.
Kylian Mbappe proved Claude Makelele wrong
Makelele said of Mbappe, via Madrid Xtra, “I’d like Kylian Mbappé to win the Ballon d'Or. He hasn't won many titles with Real Madrid this season, but what he's doing in this World Cup is exceptional.”
Although Kylian Mbappe has a lot of ardent supporters within the Real Madrid fan base, most people rolled their eyes at Claude Makelele's latest impassioned praise of the forward, because it is hard to justify a Ballon d'Or for someone who threw his own team under the bus, won nothing, played very poorly in key games, and watched his old team win the Champions League twice in a row while he won nothing.
A great World Cup against Sweden, Morocco, and Iraq does not negate months of subpar performances for Real Madrid, because even though less people are paying attention to a meltdown against Real Oviedo or your teammates doing better without you than they are a brace in the World Cup, those games still matter and do add up.
Mbappe was horrible when it mattered most for France against Spain in the World Cup semifinals, once again losing to a team that actually played as a team. When the going got tough and the defense marked him closely, Mbappe did not help his team gain control, failed to play smart, and was straight up outworked by the opposition.
Makelele has to know those are not the traits of a Ballon d'Or winner, and they were certainly not the traits he exhibited when he was busy winning real silverware with Chelsea and Real Madrid during peak competition. Mbappe can skate by the easy opponents, but when he is asked to elevate the team, he still fails.
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