According to a report by Evening Standard on Tuesday October 27, 2026, Lamine Yamal's uncle, Abdul Abdellaoui, has questioned Harry Kane's 2026 Ballon d'Or victory, claiming the Barcelona youngster was the best player in the world.

Kane won the prestigious individual award ahead of Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe and Yamal, who finished second and third respectively in the final rankings.

However, Abdellaoui was disappointed with the outcome and insisted that his nephew deserved to take home the trophy after an impressive season.

Speaking on Spanish radio programme El Larguero, he said: “My nephew was amazing, he was the best player in the world, everyone knows it. If you like football, you go to see Lamine, not Harry Kane."

Abdellaoui also suggested that Kane's age may have influenced the decision, arguing that voters might have felt the England captain had fewer opportunities left to win the award.

“Since Lamine is young, they always say he has time, he's 19, and that's why they're not giving him the award,” he added.

Despite his criticism, Abdellaoui acknowledged that Yamal would have more opportunities to win the Ballon d'Or in the coming years.

Kane's victory came after an exceptional campaign in which the England captain scored 73 goals in 65 appearances for club and country.

The 33-year-old had previously been nominated for the Ballon d'Or seven times, with his highest finish before this year being 10th.

His triumph also ended England's 25-year wait for a winner of the men's award, with Michael Owen the last Englishman to claim the honour in 2001.

Meanwhile, Yamal has established himself among the world's leading young players, finishing in the top three of the Ballon d'Or rankings in consecutive years.