Harry Kane’s Ballon d’Or win challenged in Spain
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Senenews
The 2026 Ballon d’Or awarded to Harry Kane has drawn criticism, particularly in Spain, where some believe the trophy should have gone to a world champion. The criticism followed the ceremony held in London on 26 October, reports Senenews.
Harry Kane’s 2026 Ballon d’Or win has drawn criticism in Spain, where several voices have challenged the choice of the English Bayern Munich striker ahead of Kylian Mbappé and Lamine Yamal, according to Senenews. Yamal’s uncle said the Barcelona player deserved the trophy more, while José Félix Díaz, the jury’s sole Spanish voter, said he had expected Mbappé or Yamal to win.
Former Real Madrid player Guti also questioned the result on a Madrid television programme. He made a sarcastic remark about the ceremony’s exceptional move to Kane’s birthplace, London, before suggesting that the outcome had been decided in advance, without providing evidence, according to Senenews.
Kane won the trophy on Monday evening in London, at the first ceremony held in the English capital in 70 years. He became the fifth Englishman to win it and the first since Michael Owen in 2001. His season’s honours include a German league title, a Champions League semi-final, a World Cup semi-final with England and the Gerd Müller Trophy for the top goalscorer.
The Spanish criticism came the day after Harry Kane beat Mbappé to win the 2026 Ballon d’Or and Lamine Yamal was recognised as the youngest player ever to finish on the Ballon d’Or podium.
