Yamal's uncle slams Harry Kane's Ballon d'Or win and claims age bias cost Barcelona star

Lamine Yamal’s uncle has publicly criticised Harry Kane’s Ballon d’Or win, claiming voters were swayed by the Bayern Munich striker’s age rather than the quality of his football, after the Barcelona winger finished third at Monday’s ceremony in London.

Kane claimed the Golden Ball to become England’s first winner in 25 years, capping a campaign in which he once again starred for Bayern in the Bundesliga. Yamal, 19, took home the Kopa Trophy for a third consecutive time but was denied the top prize despite a season that included La Liga glory with Barcelona and a World Cup triumph with Spain.

Abdul Abdellaoui, Yamal’s uncle, made no attempt to hide his frustration in an interview with El Larguero. “Well, the truth is it’s really sad, I feel really bad,” he said. “My nephew was amazing, he was the best player in the world, everyone knows it. If you like football, you go to see Lamine, not Harry Kane. Harry Kane is a great goalscorer but Lamine is the best player who shines on the pitch and if he’s unlucky, there’s next year.”

Abdellaoui went further, suggesting the voting reflected a conscious decision to reward Kane before his career winds down. “Since Lamine is young, they always say he has time, he’s 19, and that’s why they’re not giving him the award,” he said. “Harry, with only three days of football left, they’re saying, ‘come on, we’ll give him the award’.”

Despite his frustration, Abdellaoui acknowledged Kane’s credentials and remained bullish about his nephew’s long-term prospects. “He’s won the World Cup, La Liga, the Super Cup, he plays really well, he’s had an incredible season, he scores goals that nobody else can. Passes, assists, whatever you want. Lamine will win more than one, but the sadness will pass in three days. In a few days he will be fine.”

Yamal, who will not turn 20 until next July, registered 24 goals last season and has established himself as one of the most exciting players in world football. His Euros victory with Spain two years ago and this summer’s World Cup win underline a trophy haul that many felt merited the Ballon d’Or ahead of Kane. The debate over the result is unlikely to fade quickly, with the teenager’s trajectory suggesting the argument over his place in the game’s hierarchy will only intensify in the seasons ahead.