HarryKane's Ballond'Or coronation, announced in London on Monday evening, immediately triggered a wave of controversy. While the majority of pundits and fans hailed the England striker's victory, former Real Madrid midfielder Guti publicly expressed his doubts about the legitimacy of the decision.
During the ElChiringuitoTV show, Guti launched a virulent criticism, raising the possibility of a Ballond’Or “arranged” in favor of Kane. He pointed to the choice of London as the venue for the ceremony, stressing that the city was closely linked to the striker and that the presentation of the trophy coincided with the 70th anniversary of the Ballond'Or. According to him, “it’s a coincidence, right? ” and he claimed that “everything seemed directed.” Although these comments remain suspicions, they have not been supported by concrete evidence of vote manipulation.
Guti also referred to Kane's reaction when the result was announced. He noticed the surprise on the player's face, emphasizing that Kane would never have imagined winning the award and that he rather expected to see LamineYamal or KylianMbappé as winners. According to him, “you don’t make that face when you receive the Ballond’Or if you thought you had to win it.” This remark highlighted the high expectations which surrounded these two young talents, now at the heart of a controversy which goes beyond the purely sporting framework.
Guti's statements drew mixed reactions. Some supporters of transparency in the process saw his remarks as an attempt to question the integrity of the event, while others praised his courage in expressing his questions. At this point, no hard evidence has been presented to support the allegations of manipulation, and the Ballond’Or Committee has yet to officially respond.
In the meantime, HarryKane's coronation remains official and recognized by the competent authorities. Discussions continue, however, and it is possible that other voices will join those of Guti in contesting the result. The next step will be to observe how the football authorities and the media will react to these accusations, and whether a further investigation will be launched to clarify the circumstances surrounding the presentation of the trophy.