Orelsan Critiques Mbappe’s Ownership of Caen in New Song

In his song ‘La petite voix’ (translated as ‘The Little Voice’), French rapper Orelsan has taken aim at Kylian Mbappe, the captain of the French national football team, regarding his ownership of Caen, a position he has held since acquiring a majority stake in the club in 2024.

In one notable verse, Orelsan, who hails from Caen, sings: “You’re going to sink your city like the Mbappes.” This track is featured in Orelsan’s new album, ‘La fuite en avant’ (‘The Headlong Rush’).

In a vigorous response posted on X, Mbappe accused Orelsan of attempting to secure a free stake in the club, stating: “You’re welcome to come and save the city you love so much. PS: The guy kept begging us to get in with 1% without paying because he doesn’t have a penny but wanted to look like the little guy from Normandy.”

However, this retort has sparked backlash from Caen fans, who have been expressing their discontent with Mbappe’s ownership. Following Mbappe’s social media post, a local supporter named Sebastien expressed his disappointment to RMC Sport: “We’re stunned, like everyone else. It’s sad. Orelsan is a huge celebrity in Caen. Kylian Mbappe has made a massive blunder that will tarnish his image. If he thinks he can turn the Caen fans against Orelsan, he’s going to have a very hard time; Orelsan is an idol. The song is a parody. Responding at face value is risky.”

Former Caen defender Brahim Thiam has also critiqued Mbappe’s reaction, suggesting that the song is not a personal attack, despite its mention of his name. Thiam wrote on X: “The punchline comes from an Orelsan song title that talks about his evil twin, a little voice that criticizes everything and everyone, even his family, his buddies, and his wife – it’s not a personal matter, lol… It’s a shame to expose the club through this kind of post.”

In July 2024, Mbappe became one of Europe’s youngest football club owners after purchasing an 80 percent stake in Caen through his company, Coalition Capital, investing approximately £17.5 million (€20 million/$23 million). This acquisition was initially seen as a symbolic homecoming for Mbappe, who almost joined the club as a youth player. However, the situation has rapidly deteriorated.

By April 2025, Caen faced a significant setback as a 3-0 loss against Martigues confirmed their relegation from Ligue 2, marking the first time in 41 years that the club would compete in France’s third division. In response, supporters stormed the pitch in protest, displaying a banner that read: “Mbappe, SMC is not your toy.”

Following the relegation, the club underwent a controversial restructuring that resulted in the layoff of sixteen staff members, further intensifying fan backlash against Mbappe.

Christophe Vaucelle, head of the Malherbe Normandy Kop, encapsulated the local sentiment, stating: “The Mbappe clan bears some responsibility. They arrived, stayed invisible, and disconnected from the fans. The situation is catastrophic.”

Currently, Caen sits in 10th place in France’s third tier, having secured only three victories in thirteen league matches this season, alongside seven draws and three losses under the management of Maxime d’Ornano.

While Mbappe continues to face criticism off the pitch, he remains in outstanding form for Real Madrid during the 2025-26 season. The star forward has netted 18 goals in 15 matches across all competitions, helping his team maintain the top position in La Liga and seventh place in the Champions League standings. Real Madrid aims to recover from a recent 1-0 defeat against Liverpool in Europe’s premier club competition as they prepare to face Rayo Vallecano in the league this Sunday.