Mbappé, it’s already over, Cyril Hanouna’s opinion!

Kylian Mbappé, once regarded as the next great icon of world football, is now facing perhaps the harshest criticism of his career. At just 26 years old, the French superstar’s trajectory is under intense scrutiny following yet another Champions League heartbreak—this time in the colors of Real Madrid.

After years of dreaming about lifting the prestigious Champions League trophy, Mbappé’s move to Real Madrid was supposed to be the final piece of the puzzle. Instead, his first European campaign with Los Blancos has ended in major disappointment. The Spanish giants were shockingly eliminated in the quarter-finals, dealing a massive blow to Mbappé’s personal aspirations.

Worse still, this setback may have dealt a serious blow to his Ballon d’Or hopes. Many believed that donning the iconic white shirt of Real Madrid would finally elevate Mbappé to the same pedestal as Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo. However, observers now suggest he may have already missed his golden window.

Among the most vocal critics is French media personality Cyril Hanouna. Speaking as a guest on Europe 1, Hanouna did not hold back:
“He will never win the Ballon d’Or. This year is already over for him,” he declared. “He was eliminated in the quarter-finals, and the competition is fierce—Lamine Yamal, Lewandowski… Even Dembélé could get it if PSG goes all the way. The Ballon d’Or will go to the striker of the Champions League-winning team.”

It was a brutal assessment, and yet, one shared by many in the French footballing sphere. Journalist Gilles Favard added fuel to the fire with an even gloomier prediction.
“I don’t think he will ever win it,” said Favard. “That’s another year wasted. And when you look at the current Real Madrid squad, it’s worrying. They’ll need to clean house and rebuild. That could take two seasons. By then, Mbappé will be older and less effective.”

Mbappé, once celebrated for his pace, dribbling, and killer instinct in front of goal, now finds his strengths being questioned. Is the boy from Bondy already past his peak?

For French pundit Daniel Riolo, the issue is tactical. He argues that Mbappé’s current role as a central striker is doing more harm than good.
“If he regains peak fitness and returns to the position that made him famous, maybe he can bounce back,” Riolo explained. “But if he continues insisting on playing as a number 9, he’s going to waste his potential. We will have had an exceptional player between 17 and 25, but if it goes on like this, we won’t see that version of Mbappé again.”

Indeed, Mbappé’s explosiveness has always been his biggest weapon. But with time, speed inevitably fades. Hanouna was keen to emphasize this point, suggesting the next few years are make-or-break.
“His biggest strength is his speed,” Hanouna noted. “But that wears down with time. The next three or four years are decisive. Still, he’ll never reach the level of Messi or Ronaldo. Not even Platini or Zidane. Among French Ballon d’Or winners, he won’t be on par with Benzema, Papin, Platini, or Zizou. And honestly, Dembélé could surprise everyone and take it before him. That would be incredible.”

Such remarks might be deemed harsh, but they reflect a growing sentiment within the media. The expectations surrounding Mbappé have always been enormous—perhaps too enormous. And now, each misstep is met with thunderous backlash.

What stings even more is the contrast between potential and reality. As a teenager, Mbappé dazzled the world during France’s 2018 World Cup run. His speed, flair, and fearlessness drew inevitable comparisons to Pelé. But six years later, despite domestic dominance with PSG and a high-profile move to Real Madrid, the crown jewel—the Champions League—remains elusive.

Worse, his individual performances in crunch matches have drawn criticism. Against Arsenal in the recent quarter-finals, he was largely anonymous across both legs. For a player of his stature, such disappearances in big moments raise uncomfortable questions.

Is Mbappé suffering from a deeper issue of stagnation? Has the weight of expectation become too heavy? Or is this simply a temporary dip in form, one that all great players endure at some point?

Only time will tell. But in the cutthroat world of elite football, patience is a luxury few can afford. And for Kylian Mbappé, the clock is ticking.

Real Madrid’s rebuild might eventually give him the platform he needs. But if Cyril Hanouna, Gilles Favard, and Daniel Riolo are to be believed, Mbappé’s time may be slipping away faster than anyone anticipated.

For now, the dream of a Ballon d’Or remains just that—a dream. And unless Mbappé can redefine himself in the seasons ahead, that dream could forever remain out of reach.

One thing is clear: the pressure has never been higher, and the spotlight has never been harsher. If he is to silence the doubters, the real Kylian Mbappé must rise—and soon.