Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane claimed the first Ballon d’Or of his career at age 33 during a ceremony held on Monday, October 26, at the London Palladium in London. The decision immediately sparked heavy debate across European football, drawing sharp criticism from Samir Nasri and Medhi Benatia over the legitimacy of the award.
Criteria and Criticisms on YouTube
Appearing on the YouTube show Les Affranchis,
Samir Nasri questioned the voting criteria that favored the England captain, pointing out that Michael Olise was the best player in the Bundesliga while Kane was not the best of the England team during the World Cup. Nasri argued that simply scoring goals was insufficient to justify the accolade, stating that within the criteria of the Ballon d’Or, Kane was not first. Ca ne me va pas du tout,
Nasri remarked, questioning whether the vote was based merely on goals scored.
Medhi Benatia echoed those frustrations on the same broadcast, arguing that Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé deserved the honor after a campaign defined by scoring records across La Liga, the Champions League, and the World Cup. Benatia remarked that if he were in Mbappé’s position after finishing second behind Kane—while Kane failed to secure the World Cup or the Champions League—he would feel bitterness over the outcome. According to Foot Mercato, the clan Mbappé was convinced of the Frenchman’s victory.
Diverging Preferences in the Final Standings
While both analysts agreed that Kane did not deserve the trophy, their ideal winners differed. Nasri maintained that Lamine Yamal, who finished third in the voting before the ballots closed on September 28, 2026, should have received the golden ball. The panel also questioned the placement of other high-profile nominees, expressing disbelief that Lionel Messi finished fifth while playing in Miami and that Rodri ranked fourth despite having only played four months.
Reactions Across Europe
The outcome divided opinion sharply between French observers and those in England and Germany. Bayern Munich executives and manager Thomas Tuchel celebrated the milestone for Kane, who became the first English player to win the trophy since Michael Owen in 2001. Meanwhile, the backlash from figures like Nasri and Benatia highlights a persistent divide regarding whether voters should prioritize raw goalscoring totals, individual brilliance, or major team silverware.
Divisions Over the Jury Selection
The choice of the jurors divides deeply, in France as elsewhere. Medhi Benatia noted that Kylian Mbappé can have the feeling of bitterness, stating il n’a pas pris la Coupe du Monde, n’a pas pris la Ligue des champions, il a pris une tarte quand même
concerning Harry Kane’s lack of major team trophies. The former defender highlighted the scoring records of the France captain in La Liga, the Champions League, and the World Cup.
More on Harry Kane
🚨 Samir Nasri 🇫🇷 WOULDN’T GIVE THE BALLON D’OR TO HARRY KANE! 🏆❌🗣️ “I completely disagree with that!He is NOT THE BEST PLAYER IN THE BUNDESLIGA. The best player in the Bundesliga is OLISE! 🇫🇷🔥He wasn’t even the best player for England during the World Cup!WHAT ARE WE… pic.twitter.com/sJ1gRC6zw3”
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