Ballon d’Or battle: Harry Kane echoes Lionel Messi's glory

While the Spanish press on Monday evening placed Harry Kane’s Ballon d’Or‑win next to Lionel Messi’s triumph in 2010, they emphasized that the jury chose ‘individual class’ over team awards; self‑promotion was labelled as pointless and Kane was declared the best footballer of the season.

The Spanish newspapers emphasized that the jury selected ‘individual class’ over team awards. Self‑promotion for the Ballon d’Or was, according to them, deemed pointless. Kane was chosen on Monday evening as the best footballer of the past season.

El Pais stated that ‘the goals weighed heavier than the titles’. The quote underscored the importance of individual scoring performances. The newspaper also noted that Yamal has won almost every conceivable award, except the Champions League.

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Kane’s figures versus the competition

drew the same conclusion and compared the ceremony to that of 2010, when Messi won the award at the expense of Iniesta and Xavi, despite their World Cup title. Kane scored 73 goals this season, finished third at the World Cup and captured all domestic trophies with Bayern. He took the Ballon d’Or at the expense of Kylian Mbappé and Lamine Yamal, who became second and third respectively.

AS noted that goals are the most important factor for the award. The publication regarded Kane’s 73 goals as decisive. Self‑promotion campaigns of the other nominees were seen as irrelevant.

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El Confidential went even deeper into the self‑promotion of Mbappé and Yamal. The outlet wrote that Kane had ‘snatched the two outsiders out of their pink cloud’. This highlighted the lack of marketing tricks by the winner.