Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappé and National Rally (RN) presidential candidate Jordan Bardella clashed on social media after the footballer renewed his criticism of the French right-wing party in a recent interview with Vanity Fair.
Published roughly one month before the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the interview with Mbappé focused primarily on football, France’s chances in the tournament, and the pressure on him to lead both the national team and Real Madrid. However, the discussion also touched on broader political and social issues, including race and identity in France, as the country prepares for the 2027 presidential election.
Arguing that footballers are ‘citizens first’ and should not be expected to remain silent on political matters, Mbappé explicitly stated that a potential RN leadership could have ‘serious consequences’ for France. ‘I know what could happen to my country if these people take power,’ Mbappé said.
As France’s presidential election approaches, RN remains the country’s most popular political force, while Bardella leads nearly every major presidential run-off scenario according to recent polling.
A March survey conducted by Toluna–Harris Interactive placed Bardella at roughly 35–36 per cent across all first-round scenarios, while the second-placed candidate, progressive left-wing politician Raphaël Glucksmann, trailed far behind at around 14 per cent. RN itself similarly polls at approximately 35 per cent nationwide.
Et moi je sais ce qui arrive lorsque Kylian Mbappé quitte le PSG : le club gagne la Ligue des Champions ! (Et peut-être bientôt une deuxième fois.) https://t.co/IkZOH1aMy3
— Jordan Bardella (@J_Bardella) May 12, 2026
Bardella responded to Mbappé’s remarks in a post on X, writing: ‘I know what happens when Mbappé leaves PSG: the club wins the Champions League,’ referring to the fact that Paris Saint-Germain won the Champions League after the striker’s departure to Real Madrid and has since reached another final, scheduled against Arsenal in Budapest on 30 May. Meanwhile, Real Madrid has struggled to rediscover its previous winning form since Mbappé’s arrival.
The current criticism was not the first time Mbappé—arguably one of France’s most influential public figures—has intervened politically against RN.
During Euro 2024, after President Emmanuel Macron called snap parliamentary elections, Mbappé publicly urged voters to oppose ‘the extremes’, warning that they were ‘at the gates of power’. At the time, RN had won the first round of the election, making it widely understood that Mbappé was referring to the party.
His comments quickly became one of the most debated political interventions by a French athlete in recent decades, with many describing them as an overt political intervention in the democratic process.
Mbappé was joined by several teammates from the French national team, including Marcus Thuram and Jules Koundé, who also publicly criticized the rise of RN. ‘We truly try to fight this idea that a footballer should shut up and play,’ Mbappé said in the current Vanity Fair interview, reflecting on his earlier political statements.
Related articles:
At a time when public debate is increasingly polarized and superficial, Hungarian Conservative remains committed to depth, intellectual honesty, and independent conservative thought.
Producing high-quality journalism requires resources. Your contribution helps us expand our coverage, reach new audiences, and keep our content accessible.
Please consider supporting our mission.
