Harry Kane has emerged as the leading contender for the Ballon d'Or, football's most prestigious individual award, after a season in which he scored 73 goals, a tally bettered only by Lionel Messi's record 82 in 2011-12. Yet not everyone is convinced. Lamine Yamal, Barcelona's 19-year-old forward, openly questioned the Englishman's candidacy, arguing that the award belongs to the best player in the world rather than simply to someone who scores 80 goals. The Bayern Munich striker responded calmly to the young star's criticism. Singing his own praises in public, he explained, is simply not in his character.
While Kylian Mbappé and Yamal have spoken freely to the media about the award, Kane believes his individual output last season leaves him second to none among his rivals. The England captain was unequivocal: there is no doubt, he said, that he is among the favourites to win. Voting closes on Monday, and ahead of the ceremony in London, Kane has a historic opportunity. Victory would make him the first British player to lift the trophy since Michael Owen's triumph in 2001, 25 years ago.
