Former Real Madrid midfielder Guti has poured scorn on the decision to award Harry Kane with the Ballon d’Or and claimed even the Bayern Munich striker didn’t think he’d win.
Kane was last night crowned the best player in the world in recognition of a brilliant season for Bayern and England in which he scored 73 goals, helping his club side retain the Bundesliga and England reach the semi-finals of the World Cup.
The 33-year-old became the first Englishman to win the award in 25 years but Guti felt closest challengers Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappe both had stronger cases.
He told El Chiringuito: “It’s quite a coincidence that they take the 70th anniversary Ballon d’Or ceremony to London and someone from London wins it. What a coincidence, right? An incredible coincidence. Lamine and Mbappé deserved it more.
“Just look at Kane’s face when they announced his name. He never imagined in his life that he would win the Ballon d’Or. He thought Lamine and Mbappé would finish ahead of him. You don’t react like that when you win the Ballon d’Or if you think you deserve it. He didn’t even know how to put his jacket on.”
Kane doesn’t excite me, says former Arsenal man Nasri
Although the majority of the reaction has been overwhelmingly positive to Kane’s triumph with the former Tottenham man declining in the build-up to indulge in the self-promotion that always accompanies challengers from Spain, former Arsenal rival Samir Nasri was another who felt there were more suitable recipients.
Nadri said: “Harry Kane, Ballon d’Or winner… OK, the statistics made the difference, and he’s a great player. But he never led his team to a major trophy, nor was he decisive in the games that really mattered. He doesn’t excite me. I couldn’t care less.”
El Larguero even wheeled out one of Yamal’s uncles to express his disappointment at his nephew’s third-placed finish.
Abdul said: “Very sad, my nephew is the best player in the world, everyone knows it. If you like soccer, you’re going to watch Lamine, not Harry Kane. Kane is a great goalscorer, but Lamine shines on the field. Lamine is young, he has time and that’s why they don’t give it to him. Kane only has three years of football left, that’s why he was given it. I’m sure Lamine will end up winning five [Ballons d’Or]. In three days Lamine’s sadness will pass.”
There was one dignified message from Spain with Real Madrid TV stating: “Kane is the Ballon d’Or. Congratulations to the player of Bayern and the English national team. The forecasts have been right and we must wait for another opportunity for Mbappé. This Ballon d’Or for Kane is far from undeserved. He’s a great player and has had a great career.”
Kane is an asset for Bayern – Eberl
Unsurprisingly the reaction was different in Germany and from Bayern in particular.
The club’s sporting director Max Eberl said: “Harry Kane is an asset for FC Bayern and would be for any team in the world. He takes responsibility, on the field and in the dressing room; he is someone everyone else follows, day after day. This title is the reward for his impressive achievements in his career as a whole.
“Harry deserves all the honours in the world, and the fact that he has been awarded the Ballon d’Or here in his home town sends a wonderful message to everyone, that you should never give up. We are delighted with all the nominations – FC Bayern is a stage for world-class talent.”
Kane will parade the trophy in front of the Bayern fans ahead of the DFB-Pokal clash with Magdeburg at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday night.
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