Benjamin Mendy has responded with humor after facing criticism for auctioning his official replica of the 2018 World Cup trophy. The former France international stressed that the personal item belonged to him and that he was free to do whatever he wanted with it.
Mendy was unimpressed by the comments sparked by the sale of the trophy, which was presented to France’s players following their triumph in Russia. It was recently sold for $62,220, approximately €54,000, during Goldin’s “Global Football Auction Part 2.” The item came from the defender’s personal collection and included a certificate of authenticity signed by him.
Mendy Defends His Right to Sell the Trophy
Faced with the many reactions, the 2018 world champion used irony to justify his decision. “But is it my World Cup or your cup? It belongs to me. It’s my trophy. I can do whatever I want with it!” he said on Instagram, before offering a much lighter explanation: “It was taking up too much space in the closet.” He also joked that he still had other trophies available for sale and ended his message with “Come on, Les Bleus.”
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The sale attracted considerable attention because of the trophy’s sentimental value, as it represents the greatest achievement of Mendy’s career. Some observers also linked the auction to his financial situation, although this interpretation cannot be confirmed from the sale alone. Mendy himself did not mention any financial difficulties when explaining his decision.
His career has nevertheless been severely disrupted in recent years. After being suspended by Manchester City and losing a significant portion of his salary, he secured a favorable ruling from a British employment tribunal in 2024 over some unpaid wages. He was also cleared of the criminal charges brought against him in the United Kingdom before attempting to revive his career with FC Lorient and later in Poland. With his deliberately provocative and humorous response, Mendy fully accepts the sale: the trophy belonged to him, and he was free to decide its fate.
