Is Kylian Mbappé responding to his critics without saying a word? At the centre of several controversies in recent weeks, particularly surrounding the Ballon d’Or and his reportedly cooler relationship with Ousmane Dembélé, the France captain has posted a particularly intriguing video. Smiling broadly while riding a bike, he chose a song whose lyrics hardly seem insignificant: “Who’s the really bad guy? The bad guy.”
Absent from the France squad after suffering a left knee injury against Turkey, Kylian Mbappé nevertheless remains at the heart of the conversation surrounding Les Bleus — and not only for sporting reasons. In recent weeks, the Real Madrid forward has been heavily discussed in connection with the Ballon d’Or, with his very public campaign to support his candidacy attracting plenty of attention.
Is Mbappé sending a message with his song choice?
L’Équipe has also reported that Mbappé’s relationship with Ousmane Dembélé, another contender for the award, has cooled. Both players have publicly insisted there is no problem between them, but that has not completely silenced the rumours. It is against this particularly tense backdrop that Mbappé posted a new video on Instagram on Sunday, showing himself cycling outdoors with a big smile.
What really caught the eye, however, was the soundtrack chosen by the Madrid star. Mbappé used an excerpt from Michel Fugain and Le Big Bazar’s Les gentils, les méchants, featuring the line: “Who’s the really bad guy? The bad guy.” Given the media battle surrounding the Ballon d’Or, questions about his relationship with Dembélé and criticism over his recent night out in Paris, it is difficult not to see at least a hint of irony in the choice.
Kylian Mbappé enjoying life and riding a bike through his neighborhood. ☀️🚴🏽 pic.twitter.com/Ts2cJBMdUe
— 10 (@Kylian) October 4, 2026
There is no way to confirm, however, that the song was directly aimed at his critics, as Mbappé provided no explanation alongside the post. Still, the timing is certain to fuel further discussion. Just hours before France face Belgium, the Les Bleus captain may be far from the Stade de France, but he remains firmly in the spotlight. With only a few seconds of video, a broad smile and a carefully chosen song, Mbappé may just have delivered his own response to the controversies surrounding him.
