Guti calls the 2026 Ballon d'Or a conspiracy after the ceremony
While the 2026 Ballon d'Or was presented in London, the former Real Madrid international, José María Gutiérrez, expressed his displeasure on Spanish television. On the set of El Chiringuito, the pundit described the ceremony as “What a coincidence, right?”, denouncing a possible plot surrounding Harry Kane’s triumph.
A fiery reaction on El Chiringuito
On Monday evening, Guti was present on the Spanish programme El Chiringuito, where he did not hide his anger after the winner was announced. He said “everything seems rigged, completely”, insinuating a manipulation of the vote. His venomous tone immediately sparked controversy among viewers.
The 2026 Ballon d'Or ranking
The final ranking puts Harry Kane at the top, followed by Kylian Mbappé of Real Madrid, then Lamine Yamal of Barça, who finishes third. This hierarchy surprised Guti, who expected the young Spanish prodigy to outrank the Frenchman. Mbappé’s presence, a former Real player, reinforces the perceived sense of favoritism.
A former Real Madrid player, Guti has played more than 500 matches with the club during the Galácticos era. Today a coach and pundit, he analyses performances from the bench and on television studios. His experience as a legendary player fuels the credibility of his critiques.
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He noted that the 70th edition of the award took place in London and was won by a Londoner, calling it an “incredible coincidence”. According to him, the fact that the trophy is presented in the British capital while the winner is English strengthens the suspicion of bias. This remark fed the debate on vote transparency.
Guti observed Harry Kane’s body language, stating that the player did not expect to receive the Ballon d’Or. He added that Kane thought Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappé would surpass him. For Guti, “you don’t make that face when you receive the Ballon d’Or”.
The broadcast caused a huge disappointment on Spanish television, with many fans expressing their disagreement. Social media quickly echoed Guti’s remarks, amplifying the controversy. This wave of discontent shows the impact of a former Real’s statements on public opinion.
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The contrast between the London celebration of the Ballon d’Or and the anger of a Real veteran exposes the lingering tensions around the award’s legitimacy. As long as criticisms like Guti’s persist, the debate over voting fairness will remain open.