The selection of Harry Kane as the winner of the 2026 Ballon d'Or brought a wave of admiration in the world media. The British media saw this success as the end of a 25-year wait, and the German press praised Vincent Kompany's role in its development. On the other hand, some of the Madrid and Catalan media reacted to this choice with a critical eye. One day after Harry Kane won the Ballon d'Or award at the London Palladium, the international press showed different reactions to this event. Barney Rooney wrote in "The Guardian": "This is the end of a 25-year wait for Britain." He pointed to Michael Owen being the last British player to win the Ballon d'Or in 2001, winning the European Golden Shoe, winning the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich and shining in the World Cup as reasons why Kane deserves to receive this award. Oliver Holt in the newspaper "Daily Mail", also mocking some football stars, described Kane as "a superstar full of humility and far from controversy and narcissistic edges". Also the "Sun" newspaper, with the ironic headline "Yes, he did! " (Yes He Cannes) celebrated this success. Read more details on the website.

The selection of Harry Kane as the winner of the 2026 Ballon d'Or brought a wave of admiration in the world media. The British media saw this success as the end of a 25-year wait, and the German press praised Vincent Kompany's role in its development. On the other hand, some of the Madrid and Catalan media reacted to this choice with a critical eye. One day after Harry Kane won the Ballon d'Or award at the London Palladium, the international press showed different reactions to this event. Barney Rooney wrote in "The Guardian": "This is the end of a 25-year wait for Britain." He pointed to Michael Owen being the last British player to win the Ballon d'Or in 2001, winning the European Golden Shoe, winning the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich and shining in the World Cup as reasons why Kane deserves to receive this award. Oliver Holt in the newspaper "Daily Mail", also mocking some football stars, described Kane as "a superstar full of humility and far from controversy and narcissistic edges". Also the "Sun" newspaper, with the ironic headline "Yes, he did! " (Yes He Cannes) celebrated this success. Read more details on the website.