Harry Kane was the winner of the 2026 Ballon d'Or after a spectacular season with Bayern Munich, and at the award ceremony he left one of the surprises of the night: a very public praise for the young Barcelona striker, Lamine Yamal. The English striker, who celebrated his victory on the red carpet, spoke to Movistar+ television and highlighted the talent of Yamal, whom he recalled that at his age he had gone through several loans before establishing himself in the Tottenham first team.
Kane, who at the age of 19 played on loan for Leyton Orient, Milwall, Norwich City and Leicester City, explained that his career was not linear and that each step helped him find his place. "He is an incredible player. Doing what he is doing at his age is really incredible. I was on loan at several clubs, trying to find my way. This shows that each career is different. He has started very well and what he does at that young age shows the magnitude of the talent and the quality he has," commented the Englishman, without failing to recognize Yamal's level.
Barça's '10' finished third in the Ballon d'Or voting, behind Kylian Mbappé and Kane himself. Despite the rivalry for the award, Kane's phrase is perceived as a gesture of respect and support for the new generation of talents. Yamal, who already has three league titles, a World Cup, a European Championship, a Copa del Rey and two Spanish Super Cups, arrived in London with the feeling of having been left aside as the best player in the world, but the veteran's words offer him comfort and motivation.
The Ballon d'Or 2026 has become a platform to recognize not only individual performance, but also the development of promising young players. Kane's recognition of Yamal highlights the importance of experience and perseverance in a footballer's career. With the season underway, Barcelona and the young striker will continue to compete in the League and the Champions League, while Tottenham continue looking to consolidate their position in the Premier League. The next step for Yamal will be to prove that Kane's praise translates into further achievements and possibly the first time he himself will align himself with the prestigious individual award.