A public dispute between two of France’s most prominent young figures – football star Kylian Mbappe and far-right leader Jordan Bardella – has reignited, underscoring a deeper national struggle over the country’s identity and future ahead of next year’s presidential election.
Just three years separate Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe, 27, and National Rally (RN) party chairman Jordan Bardella, 30, yet their political stances are starkly opposed.
Mbappe, who hails from a working-class Parisian suburb with a significant immigrant population, embodies a national team often celebrated for its diversity.
Bardella, conversely, represents the ascendant far-right, advocating for stricter border controls and welfare reforms that prioritise French citizens.
In a Vanity Fair interview published this week, Mbappe voiced his concerns regarding the potential consequences of an RN victory in 2027.
“People sometimes think that because we have money, because we’re famous, these kinds of problems don’t affect us,” Mbappe was quoted as saying. “But they affect me; I know what it means and what consequences it can have for my country when people like them come to power.”
Bardella swiftly responded to the comments from the former PSG player, who departed the French club in 2024. Taking to X, Bardella quipped: “I know what happens when Kylian Mbappe leaves PSG: the club wins the Champions League! (And maybe soon a second time).”
This is not the first time the two have clashed publicly. Bardella had previously traded barbs with Mbappe in 2024, criticising “deep-pocketed athletes” for “giving lessons to people who can no longer make ends meet, who no longer feel safe.”
A spokesperson for Mbappe, who previously described RN gains as “catastrophic” during the 2024 Euros, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
William Thay, from the think tank Le Millénaire, suggested Bardella’s retort on this occasion was politically astute, given Mbappe’s perceived dip in popularity in France following his PSG exit, alleged arrogance, and underwhelming performances at Real Madrid.
However, Thay cautioned that the RN risks undermining its “normalisation” strategy by attacking one of France’s biggest sporting icons, potentially alienating moderate voters who fear the party’s divisive policies.
Bardella is widely expected to be the RN’s presidential candidate should his mentor Marine Le Pen’s political ban be upheld, with at least one poll indicating he could secure a victory.
The far-right’s rise in France has been fuelled by a cost-of-living crisis, growing anti-immigration sentiment, and widespread resentment towards the political establishment.
