JP

🚨🎙️ Roy Keane on the modern Ballon d'Or campaign trail: 🗣️"It’s turned into an absolute circus, to be honest with you. You’ve got players running PR campaigns like they’re standing for election in the local council. Harry Kane is doing interviews listing every goal he scored in Germany like a tax auditor, and Lamine Yamal’s team is putting out statements about making history every time the lad ties his boots. Don't get me wrong—they’ve both had brilliant seasons. Yamal is a unbelievable talent and Kane does what Kane does, he scores goals. Nobody is saying they haven't performed on the pitch. But this non-stop media circus around it? It’s completely unwarranted. And then you have Kylian Mbappé coming out saying he wants to 'dedicate' the Ballon d’Or to Africa, then saying he’s not obsessed with the Ballon d’Or. Dedicate it to Africa?! Lad, you were born in Paris, raised in Bondy, play in Madrid, and represent France. It seems like he’s attempting to use an entire continent as a PR press release because his spin doctors told him it sounds inspirational. Back in my day, if you were the best in the world, your performances did the talking. You went out there, grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck, and let the football speak for itself. You didn't hire a media team to canvas for votes or write emotional speeches for social media. The whole thing is soft. Just perform on the pitch and keep your mouth shut."*