Gabby Agbonlahor’s statement that neither Lamine Yamal nor Harry Kane should win the Ballon d’Or this year has raised eyebrows. Both players had fine 2025/26 seasons, with Yamal starring in Spain’s World Cup campaign and Kane performing well for Bayern Munich. However, Agbonlahor thinks someone who didn’t even participate in the World Cup deserves the award instead.

Agbonlahor’s opinion highlights the complexity of evaluating player performances across different competitions and teams. It’s a reminder that the Ballon d’Or is not just about individual achievements, but also about the context in which they occur. As the football community weighs in on Agbonlahor’s statement, it’s clear that the debate over the Ballon d’Or will be intense, with various factors being considered in determining the winner.

The snub of high-profile players like Yamal and Kane would be significant, given their contributions to their respective clubs, Barcelona and Bayern Munich. The fact that Agbonlahor is advocating for a player who didn’t participate in the World Cup adds another layer to the discussion, sparking questions about the relative importance of international and club competitions in the Ballon d’Or evaluation process.