Ballon d'Or 2026 slips from Yamal's grasp: his uncle Abdul blasts Kane choice

Harry Kane was crowned 2026 Ballon d’Or winner at the ceremony held Monday evening in London, once again denying Lamine Yamal the supreme trophy. For the FC Barcelona prodigy, it marks a second consecutive disappointment after a season nonetheless crowned with titles, including the World Cup.

The strongest reaction did not come from the player himself, but from his uncle Abdul, who let his frustration explode following the ceremony. “I am very sad, I feel bad. My nephew is very good, he is the best player in the world, everyone knows that,” he declared. He then turned directly on the English striker: “If you love football, you go to the stadium to see Lamine Yamal, not Harry Kane. Harry Kane is a goalscorer, Lamine Yamal is the best. He has no luck.”

Abdul also highlighted his nephew’s exceptional season — collective titles, individual performances — to justify his bewilderment at the voters’ verdict. His criticism of Kane took on a particularly sharp turn when he alluded to the English striker’s age: “Harry Kane, he only has three days of career left, so they give him the Ballon d’Or.”

Despite the bitterness of the moment, the Barcelona player’s uncle remains resolutely optimistic about what lies ahead. “He will win more than one Ballon d’Or. He will win five!” he assured. A prediction that testifies to the absolute conviction of Yamal’s entourage in the player’s potential, still young despite an already considerable trophy cabinet.