According to a report by Daily Mail on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, French football stars Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele have faced criticism over their reported reactions to Harry Kane during the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony at the London Palladium.

The two players attracted attention after footage emerged showing them remaining seated as the England international approached them to exchange greetings during the prestigious awards ceremony.

Kane, who plays for Bayern Munich, won the 2026 Ballon d’Or after beating several top players, including Real Madrid forward Mbappe, to the individual honour.

However, the celebrations surrounding the England captain’s achievement were overshadowed by controversy after some football supporters questioned the behaviour of the two French internationals.

In the circulating footage, Kane appeared to approach Mbappe and Dembele to acknowledge them, but both players seemed to remain seated during the interaction. Their reactions prompted accusations that they had failed to show sufficient respect to the eventual winner.

Mbappe also reportedly remained seated when Kane was announced as the recipient of the prestigious award.

Nevertheless, the footage alone does not establish whether either player deliberately intended to disrespect the Bayern Munich striker.

Kane’s triumph marked a significant moment for English football, as he became the first English player to win the Ballon d’Or since Michael Owen claimed the award in 2001.

The achievement ended a 25-year wait for an English winner and further enhanced Kane’s reputation as one of the most accomplished forwards of his generation.

Reports suggested that the contest between Kane and Mbappe was particularly close, with fewer than 41 points separating the two players in the final standings.

Meanwhile, Dembele, who won the 2025 Ballon d’Or, finished seventh in the 2026 rankings following another impressive campaign at the highest level.

The Paris Saint-Germain attacker placed behind several prominent footballers, including Lamine Yamal, Rodri, Lionel Messi and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

French media outlet RMC also reportedly highlighted organisational difficulties surrounding the ceremony, including complaints and delays involving Dembele.

However, no verified connection has been established between those reported circumstances and the player’s behaviour during his interaction with Kane.

Despite the controversy, Kane received congratulatory messages from several football personalities, including England teammate Jude Bellingham.

The Real Madrid midfielder celebrated his international captain’s achievement on Instagram, writing: “Congratulations skip!” alongside celebratory emojis.

During his acceptance speech, Kane thanked those who had supported his football journey, including his wife, Kate Goodland, his family, former coaches and Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany.

The England striker later celebrated the occasion with relatives and close friends in London before preparing to return to his duties with Bayern Munich.

Although the reported incident involving Mbappe and Dembele has generated debate among football supporters, their intentions cannot be conclusively determined from the footage described.

The controversy has nevertheless reignited discussions about sportsmanship, mutual respect and the expectations placed on professional footballers during major individual award ceremonies.