Harry Kane Ballon d’Or win sparks Argentine media backlash

Harry Kane Ballon d’Or Victory Triggers Argentine Backlash Over Lionel Messi

Harry Kane won the 2026 Ballon d’Or with 1,055 points, finishing 28 votes ahead of Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé, who secured 27 points, according to voting results from France Football. The decision to award the English national team captain and Bayern Munich striker the global prize has drawn sustained criticism from Argentine media, who argue that Lionel Messi remains the world’s best player despite finishing fifth in the voting with 612 points.

The Argentine daily newspaper Olé rejected Kane’s victory in the days following the London ceremony. The publication argued that European voters overlooked Messi and pushed the Argentine star down the rankings, insisting that his performances at the World Cup cemented his status at the top of the sport.

“Egal, ob Kane ihn gewonnen hat oder nicht,” the paper wrote, asserting that Messi remains their definitive choice regardless of the official outcome. The publication added that European voters placing the player they label the GOAT in fifth place does not erase what they view as his superior standing in international football.

Medhi Benatia Questions Messi Ranking Placement

Former Bayern Munich defender Medhi Benatia challenged the voting outcome that placed Messi in fifth position and former Bayern teammate Michael Olise in ninth. Speaking to Foot Mercato, the 66-cap former Morocco international questioned what Messi achieved over the course of the full calendar year outside of the tournament in Qatar.

“Du verbringst das ganze Jahr in Miami und beendest dann das Ranking auf fünf? Haben europäische Fußballfans Messi häufiger gesehen als Michael Olise?” Benatia asked in an interview with the outlet.

While Benatia acknowledged that Messi delivered a strong performance during the World Cup, he claimed that the tournament setup featured a supporting cast where “the whole team played for him.” Benatia described Messi’s placement inside the top five of the global rankings as inappropriate when assessing his club output in Miami against players competing weekly in European leagues.

Voting Totals and Final Standings

The final voting results published by France Football established a clear margin at the top of the men’s ranking. Kane led the final tally with 1,055 points, capturing the award in his home city of London. Mbappé finished behind the winner with 27 points, while Messi accumulated 612 points to finish fifth overall. The vote also placed Michael Olise ninth in the final standings following his performances for Bayern Munich.

Frequently Asked Questions About the 2026 Ballon d’Or

How many points did Harry Kane receive to win the award?

Harry Kane secured the 2026 Ballon d’Or with 1,055 points, finishing 28 points ahead of runner-up Kylian Mbappé.

Where did Lionel Messi finish in the final ranking?

Lionel Messi finished fifth in the voting conducted by France Football, accumulating 612 points.

Which former Bayern Munich player criticized the voting results?

Medhi Benatia, a former Bayern Munich defender and 66-time Moroccan international, criticized Messi’s fifth-place ranking in an interview with Foot Mercato.

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