“Never been the player who carried his team somewhere” – Ex-Arsenal star hits out at Harry Kane winning Ballon d’Or

Samir Nasri has questioned Harry Kane’s 2026 Ballon d’Or win, arguing that the statistics behind it do not tell the whole story of the Bayern Munich striker’s season. The Frenchman, who spent three seasons at Arsenal before moving to Manchester City, said Kane’s influence in big games does not match his output.

Kane won the Ballon d’Or at the London Palladium on Monday night, finishing ahead of Kylian Mbappé and Lamine Yamal to become the first Englishman to win the award since Michael Owen in 2001.

The ceremony, the 70th edition of the award, was staged as a tribute to Stanley Matthews, the first winner in 1956. Kane also collected the Striker of the Year award on the night.

Kane scored 61 goals in 51 games for Bayern, the most by any player in a single season in the club’s history, and 73 in 65 appearances for club and country, while winning the Bundesliga and the DFB-Pokal last season.

Nasri, though, is not convinced that statistics alone should settle the game’s biggest individual prize. Speaking on Canal+, he said (translated from French):

“Harry Kane, Ballon d’Or…okay, the statistics made the difference. He’s a fantastic player with so many qualities. But he’s never been the player who carried his team somewhere or made his team win in the very big matches.

“There’s often a slight weakness. But he’s an extraordinary player.”

Asked whether he was excited by this year’s winner, Nasri said:

“No, that’s an understatement.”

Vincent Garcia, editor-in-chief of France Football, said the duel between Kane and Mbappé, who finished second, ‘was extremely tight’, with a difference even smaller than between Rodri and Vinicius in 2024.

Real Madrid legend also believes Harry Kane did not deserve 2026 Ballon d’Or

Nasri is not the only former player unimpressed by the 2026 Ballon d’Or result. Real Madrid legend Guti spoke on El Chiringuito about the award going to a London-born forward in a ceremony staged in London.

Speaking on the show, Guti said (translated from Spanish):

“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.”

Notably, Kane is the first Bayern player to win the Ballon d’Or since Karl-Heinz Rummenigge in 1981. He is also only the fifth Englishman to win the prize, following in the footsteps of Stanley Matthews, Bobby Charlton, Kevin Keegan and Michael Owen.

Edited by Nived Zenith