According to a report by Daily Mail on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele have been criticised following their alleged failure to stand and greet Harry Kane during the 2026 Ballon d'Or awards ceremony in London.

The incident reportedly occurred at the London Palladium, where some of the biggest names in world football gathered to celebrate the outstanding performers of the season. Kane eventually emerged as the winner, but the reactions of the two French stars became a subject of discussion among football supporters.

Footage from the ceremony appeared to show Kane approaching Mbappe and Dembele to exchange greetings, with both players remaining seated during the interaction. Mbappe also appeared not to rise when the Bayern Munich striker was announced as the recipient of the prestigious award.

The incident prompted questions about whether the French internationals had shown sufficient respect towards the newly crowned Ballon d'Or winner. However, their intentions remain unclear, and the available footage does not establish that either player deliberately attempted to offend Kane.

Kane's victory represented a remarkable achievement for the England captain, who has continued to establish himself as one of the most dangerous strikers in European football through his performances for Bayern Munich.

The former Tottenham Hotspur forward reportedly defeated Mbappe by fewer than 41 points in the final voting, highlighting how closely contested the race for the award was.

His success also ended a 25-year wait for an English winner. Michael Owen was the last English footballer to claim the Ballon d'Or, having received the honour in 2001.

Before the ceremony, Mbappe had spoken confidently about his standing in world football, indicating that he considered himself the best player in the world while accepting that other people could have different opinions.

Dembele, meanwhile, entered the ceremony as the previous year's winner after collecting the 2025 Ballon d'Or. However, the Paris Saint-Germain attacker finished seventh in the 2026 rankings.

He was placed behind Kane, Mbappe, Barcelona youngster Lamine Yamal, Rodri, Lionel Messi and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

The reported incident has generated conversations about how players should conduct themselves when a fellow professional receives recognition for his achievements. Some supporters believe that standing to congratulate the winner is an important gesture of sportsmanship, particularly during a ceremony celebrating individual excellence.

Nevertheless, it would be premature to conclude that the two players intentionally disrespected Kane without further evidence explaining their actions.

French media outlet RMC also reportedly discussed difficulties surrounding the event, including delays and complaints connected to arrangements for Dembele. However, no confirmed information has established that those issues influenced his response to Kane.

Despite the controversy, Kane received congratulatory messages from several football personalities following his historic triumph.

England midfielder Jude Bellingham was among those who celebrated the striker's achievement. The Real Madrid star, who plays alongside Mbappe at club level, posted a message on Instagram that read: “Congratulations skip!” alongside a heart and goat emoji.

During his acceptance speech, Kane thanked his family, his wife Kate Goodland, former coaches and Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany for supporting him throughout his career.

The England captain later celebrated with family members and friends at an after-party in London before preparing to return to his club duties.

While the reactions of Mbappe and Dembele have attracted considerable attention, Kane's achievement remains the central story of the ceremony. His victory has secured his place in English football history, while the debate surrounding the incident has placed renewed attention on sportsmanship and respect among elite players.