French sports icons Mbappé and Riner slammed by RN members over recent remarks

Two of France’s most celebrated athletes have become targets of the far-right Rassemblement national. Kylian Mbappé sparked controversy in Spain by partially refusing a club-mandated Ceuta-solidarity T-shirt, explaining he wanted to acknowledge both the enclave’s residents and migrant victims. RN deputies, including Julien Odoul, condemned his action as disrespectful.

A day later, Olympic judo champion Teddy Riner voiced his “anguish” at the prospect of Marine Le Pen winning the 2027 election during a TV interview, prompting similar attacks from RN members who called his behavior immature. Riner, who hopes to compete at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, also suggested he might enter politics after his sporting career. Both athletes were subjected to derogatory remarks on the platform X.