“William Saliba would have deserved it.” Kylian Mbappé himself admitted that his title of best French player of the year was not absolute evidence. Praised by the former winners, the Real Madrid striker was not unanimous.
France Football magazine revealed the details of the votes in its monthly edition. Out of all the voters, only one world champion placed the former Parisian in first place, and it was a 1998 world champion: Lilian Thuram.
Mbappé not cited by Kanté
The former defender voted for Kylian Mbappé ahead of William Saliba and Aurélien Tchouaméni. Former teammate of Mbappé in the French team, Antoine Griezmann placed his ex-friend in second place behind Alexandre Lacazette, and in front of Brestois Romain Del Castillo. Blaise Matuidi also placed Mbappé second.
On the other hand, N’Golo Kanté did not cite Kylian Mbappé in his trio, just like Patrick Vieira, to only take the players crowned world champions with the French selection. Surprising choices for a title that is still so controversial.
