Kane wins Ballon d'Or amid Mbappe hype and

Kane wins Ballon d'Or amid Mbappe hype

According to Vnexpress.

Context

Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane has won the 2026 Ballon d'Or, highlighting his outstanding achievements in football. Unlike Mbappe and Yamal, who actively used the media to promote their chances, Kane took a more humble approach, which ultimately led to his success.

Why is this important

Harry Kane's victory in the Ballon d'Or race underscores his importance in world football, especially against the backdrop of intense competition from stars such as Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal. This also suggests that team success and individual achievement may be more important than media activity. Kane demonstrated while playing for Bayern that humility and team spirit can lead to recognition at the highest level.

Key takeaways

• Kane wins Ballon d'Or amid Mbappe hype
• Harry Kane triumphed in the 2026 Ballon d'Or race, while Mbappe and Yamal used the media to promote their chances.
• Kane thắng Quả Bóng Vàng giữa cuộc đua ồn ào của Mbappe, Yamal.

The race for the Ballon d'Or this year was not limited to just events on the field. For two months leading up to the awards ceremony, which took place on October 26 in London, the top contenders tried to shape public opinion about their seasons. Kylian Mbappe openly stated that no one played better than him last season, and Lamine Yamal initially claimed that he did not want to attract attention, but soon changed his position and declared that he was the one worthy of the award. Both players understood that in a race where there is no clear favorite, the emphasis on their own achievements could influence the choice of journalists.

However, Harry Kane chose a different path. He did not seek to become the center of discussion and did not reproach his rivals. When asked about the Ballon d'Or, the Bayern striker only emphasized the success of his team and his achievements, noting that the result does not depend solely on him. In the end, Kane was the winner. Paradoxically, the one who attracted the least attention in the media won the trophy, which Mbappe and Yamal were actively striving for.

There was a balance between contenders in this year's race for the award. No one was able to achieve a significant advantage in either the Champions League or the World Cup, which allowed each of them to focus on their strengths. Mbappe focused on his 42 goals in 43 matches for Real Madrid, as well as his status as the top scorer in La Liga, the Champions League and the World Cup.When the team performances of Real Madrid and France fell short of expectations, he focused on his individual statistics.

The French striker never tired of giving interviews to various media, openly declaring his right to the award and promising to give it to Africa if he wins. Yamal built his argument differently. The Barcelona star highlighted the successes of his team and the Spanish national team, saying the Ballon d'Or should celebrate not only the number of goals, but also the uniqueness of a player. However, refusing to promote himself, he soon began to argue that he and Mbappe were the best players in the world and that he was the one who deserved the award more.

This has become a real competition in the media space. Mbappe tried to present the race through the prism of personal achievements and goals in major tournaments, while Yamal focused on collective success and the uniqueness of his playing style. Both put forward arguments that were valid, but at the same time deliberately directed attention to criteria that were beneficial to themselves.


Pascal Ferré, former editor-in-chief of France Football, notes that these campaigns turned out to be unusually media-rich. Previously, the activity of promoting candidates took place more quietly through agents and close people, but this year the players themselves came to the fore.This change demonstrates that media is becoming an important part of the individual awards race. Players no longer wait for a jury to evaluate their performances, but actively present their achievements and their interpretation.

The question is not what Mbappe or Yamal say. This is understandable given that the award is decided by voting. But a media campaign has its limits: a player can increase his visibility, but this does not always lead to an increase in his weight in the eyes of journalists. Ferre warns that voting journalists can feel pressured when contenders constantly assert their right to win. In communication with some members of the jury, he did not feel that Mbappe received overwhelming support.

According to Ferré, the Ballon d'Or cannot be decided on the media front. Such a campaign could even worsen a candidate's chances. This is the difference between mentioning and rating. While the media can help a player make his case to the public, journalists must still make decisions based on what they have seen.

It cannot be argued that Mbappe lost the award because of his statements, or that Kane won because of his silence. A causal relationship between behavior and outcome cannot be inferred. It is much more obvious that Mbappe and Yamal's campaigns have generated a lot of discussion about how they are progressing, while Kane has not been drawn into this war. Kane had many arguments to defend his chances.He scored 73 goals in 64 matches in all competitions, winning a treble title with Bayern in Germany and finishing third at the World Cup with England. Speaking about the season, he did not deny the ambition to win the Ballon d'Or, but did not make it a repeated message.

"I never like to talk too much about myself. The only thing I can say is that last season was amazing, both for me and for the team. But for me this season is already in the past. The Ballon d'Or does not depend on me," Kane told France Football during the voting period.

This approach creates a sharp contrast. While Mbappe and Yamal tried to shape the discussion, Kane effectively refused to participate in the battle for attention. He did not proclaim his superiority, did not belittle his rivals, and did not demand recognition. Instead, his achievements became the main criterion for judging his chances. So Kane's victory doesn't prove that silence is always more effective than self-promotion. It shows that media is no guarantee of an award, especially when the contenders have comparable achievements. In a close race, creating a story can help the player gain attention, but it cannot replace the jury's decision. Mbappe and Yamal made the race this year noisy. Kane didn't need to do the same to win. While other contenders tried to convince the world that they were right, the English striker let the votes decide the outcome.

What happens next

After winning the Ballon d'Or, Harry Kane is likely to continue to focus on his performances for Bayern as he strives for more trophies. At the same time, Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal may be reviewing their media strategies to better position themselves in future awards races. The competition between these players and their clubs, such as Real Madrid and Barcelona, will remain intense.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened to Harry Kane?

Harry Kane won the Ballon d'Or at the awards ceremony, which took place on October 26 in London.

Who confirmed Kane's victory?

Harry Kane's victory was confirmed by the organizers of the Ballon d'Or ceremony.

Why did Kane win the Ballon d'Or now?

Kane won the Ballon d'Or in a situation where none of the contenders were able to achieve a significant advantage in the season.

What changes have occurred in the race for the Ballon d'Or?

This year, the emphasis on individual player achievements has become more noticeable, as team success has not lived up to expectations.

How did Kane feel about competition with Mbappe and Yamal?

Kane did not seek to attract attention to himself and focused attention on the successes of his team, unlike Mbappe and Yamal.

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