Harry Kane’s Ballon d’Or win has sparked a heated debate on X. Many fans say he earned it. Others argue Lamine Yamal should have won.
Kane received the award at the 70th edition of the ceremony. It took place at the London Palladium on Monday. He is the first Englishman to win since Michael Owen in 2001.
Kane’s Record-Breaking Season
The Bayern Munich striker is 33. He scored 61 goals in 51 appearances for his club in 2025–26. Bayern also won the league and cup double.
Counting England games, his tally rose to 73 goals. Six of them came at the World Cup, where England reached the semi-finals.
Kane had also won the men’s Striker of the Year award earlier in the night.
Fans Who Say He Deserved It
Many users praised Kane’s career and character. @pherelab called him “the most deserved winner ever” in the award’s history.
@itzkris12 said Kane did far more than score. In the user’s view, he played like a complete forward who worked across the pitch.
Others focused on his long wait for success. @thintalltunde described his career as a story of patience and consistency. @drsahi said good things come to those who wait.
@The3rdFrame said he supports neither England nor Bayern. Even so, the user said few fans could argue the award was unmerited. @PJ_butcherio pointed to his clean public record. The user said he has no ego, no fall-outs and no scandals.
Some Barcelona fans also joined in. @mrBALRMAIN said they were happy for Kane and told Yamal that his turn would come. @futballindstr agreed that Yamal could win in future.
@danielregha also noted that Kane went from having no trophy to winning several in under two years.
Critics Back Yamal
Not everyone agreed. @700clarseek said the award had lost its credibility. The user argued that Yamal won more: the World Cup, the league and the Euros, plus a Champions League semi-final run. The user also accused Kane of padding his stats against weaker sides.
@virgilVanWirtz made a similar case. The user said Kane failed at the World Cup and in the Champions League. @Geehsports asked for one key match against top opposition where Kane took over a major tournament.
@D_sikasterling questioned the voting criteria. The user said Erling Haaland scored heavily and won a treble in 2023 but did not win the award. The user also asked why a World Cup winner was not chosen this time.
@burgary01 went further. The user alleged racial bias in the voting. This is the user’s claim only, and the post offered no evidence.
What The Debate Shows
The Ballon d’Or is decided by a panel of sports journalists from around the world. This year’s result has again split opinion. Supporters point to Kane’s goals, consistency and professionalism. Critics say team success and big-tournament form should count for more.
