Mbappé and Bardella clash again ahead of French election

A renewed public clash between Kylian Mbappé and Jordan Bardella is drawing attention ahead of France’s 2027 presidential election, highlighting broader political divisions over the country’s future.

The dispute reflects a wider national debate, as the far-right National Rally (RN) emerges as a leading political force, with an anti-immigration platform gaining traction.

Mbappé, 27, a forward for Real Madrid, and Bardella, 30, the president of RN, represent sharply contrasting visions of France. Mbappé, who grew up in a working-class suburb of Paris with a large immigrant population, has become a symbol of a diverse national identity through his role in France’s national football team. Bardella, by contrast, is seen as a key figure shaping the future of a party that has gained support through pledges to tighten border controls and prioritise French citizens in welfare policies.

In an interview with Vanity Fair published Tuesday, Mbappé expressed concern about the potential consequences of an RN victory, as per Reuters.

“People sometimes think that because we have money, because we’re famous, these kinds of problems don’t affect us,” Mbappé 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 responded on X with a pointed remark referencing Mbappé’s departure from Paris Saint-Germain in 2024, after which the club went on to win the UEFA Champions League in 2025.

“I know what happens when Kylian Mbappé leaves PSG: the club wins the Champions League! (And maybe soon a second time),” Bardella shot back.

The exchange is not the first between the two. During the 2024 European Championship, Mbappé described RN’s political gains as “catastrophic.” Bardella had previously criticised high-profile athletes, saying it was embarrassing to see wealthy figures “give lessons to people who can no longer make ends meet, who no longer feel safe.”

Political analysts suggest Bardella’s response was strategically calculated. William Thay of the think tank Le Millénaire noted that Mbappé’s popularity in France has declined somewhat following his exit from PSG, perceptions of arrogance, and mixed results at Real Madrid.

However, Thay also warned that attacking a prominent national sports figure could undermine RN’s efforts to broaden its appeal and reassure moderate voters concerned about social divisions.

Bardella is widely expected to be the RN’s candidate in 2027 if Marine Le Pen, his political mentor, remains barred from running following an appeals court decision expected this summer. Some polling suggests Bardella could win the presidency.

The far right’s growing support has been fueled by a cost-of-living crisis, rising anti-immigration sentiment, and dissatisfaction with France’s political establishment.

By Tamilla Hasanova