Kane Wins Ballon d’Or Amid Ceremony Tensions

Kane was named the world’s best footballer at the London Palladium, completing a narrow victory over Mbappé. The full voting breakdown is due to be released on October 31. Kane thanked those who had supported his career in a lengthy acceptance speech, including coaches, teammates and his wife, Kate Goodland.

Footage from the ceremony showed Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé remaining seated as Kane greeted them, and Mbappé did not stand when Kane was announced as the winner. Dembélé, who won the prize last year, finished seventh. Jude Bellingham, Kane’s England teammate and Mbappé’s Real Madrid teammate, congratulated Kane in a social media message.

The ceremony also drew attention after profiles naming Kane, Mbappé and Lamine Yamal as winners appeared on the Ballon d’Or website before the event. Organizers said the pieces had been prepared in advance for possible winners and that their publication revealed nothing about the final rankings.

Other results prompted questions about the voting. Bruno Fernandes finished 27th despite setting a Premier League single-season assists record and being named the league’s Player of the Year. Fabián Ruiz placed 10th, while Michael Olise was ninth. Spain goalkeeper Unai Simón won the Yashin Trophy, and Yamal received the Kopa Trophy for a third straight year. Yamal said the award should have gone to teammate Pau Cubarsí.

Kane celebrated after the ceremony with family and friends in Soho. He returned to Bayern Munich training on October 27.