Spanish press sees repeat of Messi year in Kane Ballon d’Or
Harry Kane won the Ballon d’Or on Monday evening, a feat that the Spanish press did not overlook. The English striker beat Kylian Mbappé and Lamine Yamal, and several newspapers immediately drew a comparison with Lionel Messi's election in 2010.
Spanish media see a repeat of 2010
Various Spanish newspapers emphasize that the jury in 2010 placed Messi's individual class above the collective successes of Andrés Iniesta and Xavi, even though the two had become world champions with Spain. According to the same media, that principle has again been decisive: team awards are important, but ultimately goals and personal performances can make the difference.
El País summarizes the choice with the observation that the goals weighed more than the titles. Lamine Yamal won almost everything that was up for grabs last season, with the Champions League as a notable exception, but had to put his fingers crossed for Kane, who impressed with his goal output.
Statistics and arguments for Kane
AS states that the goals were also the main factor in Kane's election. The English striker scored 73 strikes last season, finished third at the World Cup and won all domestic trophies with Bayern Munich. The newspaper speaks of a well-deserved selection and emphasizes that campaigns to push oneself forward yield little.
Ballon d’Or battle: Harry Kane echoes Lionel Messi's glory
It refers to 2010 and notes that Messi at the time won the Ballon d’Or despite the fact that Iniesta and Xavi had become world champions with Spain. The comparison makes clear that the jury does not look solely at the trophy cabinet, but also at the individual impact of a player.
El Confidencial goes a step further and focuses on the self-promotion of Mbappé and Yamal. According to the outlet, Kane has thus brought the two attackers down from their pink cloud; their status and performances were not enough to keep the English striker from the top prize.
Laporta claims Yamal won the Ballon d’Or, despite Kane
The Spanish commentary points to a recurring factor in the Ballon d’Or: popularity, ambitions and won trophies offer no guarantee. Ultimately a player must mainly fulfil his candidature on the pitch, and Kane has done that according to the Spanish press with his impressive goal tally.