Kane isn't the world's best - but he's the right Ballon d'Or winner
Story updated
The story in brief
7-second readAfter netting over 70 goals for club and country during the 2025-26 season, the former Tottenham striker was awarded the Golden Ball in London on Monday
From the source
Back in 2019, when asked to offer his opinion on the Ballon d’Or by GIVEMESPORT, former England striker Gary Lineker played down the award’s importance, citing the oft-repeated argument that individual prizes are ultimately worthless within a team sport.
However, within his answer, Lineker also pointed out the key difference between what many believe the Ballon d’Or awards, and what its actual purpose has become by analysing Messi’s suitability for the prize in that year.
“Being voted best player of the year has become ridiculously over-important. “Because the truth is if it’s the best player of each year, he’d (Messi) win it every year… Messi’s performances last season, prior to the very end of the season where I thought Barcelona started to look a bit tired and a bit old, were unbelievable.
At a glance
- Reporting status
- Reported
- Original publisher
- GOAL ↗
- Source published
- Clubs covered
- Tottenham
Attributed publisher reporting. Kickjolly has not independently confirmed the claim.
Source context
This brief is drawn from GOAL. The original report is linked below for its complete context.
Read original report ↗THE NEXT STORY STARTS HERE
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