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Lamine Yamal's uncle tears apart Harry Kane's Ballon d'Or win with ruthless statement
Lamine Yamal's uncle tears apart Harry Kane's Ballon d'Or win with ruthless statement

Lamine Yamal's uncle doesn't think Harry Kane deserved to win the Ballon d'Or.

In an interview with El Larguero, the family member of the Barcelona forward, who is still only 19, argued that his nephew 'was the best player in the world' and that 'everyone knows it'.

"If you like football, you go to see Lamine, not Harry Kane," Abdul Abdellaoui, who runs a restaurant in Mataro in Catalonia, Spain, 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.

"Harry Kane is a great goalscorer but Lamine is the best player who shines on the pitch and if he’s unlucky, there’s next year."

Yamal finished in 3rd place behind Kylian Mbappé and the Bayern Munich striker, who scored a whopping 73 goals in 65 games last season.

Yamal was still won the Kopa Trophy (Men's Young Talent of the Year) at the 2026 Ballon d'Or ceremony (FRANCK FIFE / AFP via Getty Images)
Yamal was still won the Kopa Trophy (Men's Young Talent of the Year) at the 2026 Ballon d'Or ceremony (FRANCK FIFE / AFP via Getty Images)

When asked why he felt Yamal did not win, Abdul replied: "Since Lamine is young, they always say he has time, he’s 19, and that’s why they’re not giving him the award. Harry, with only three days of football left, they’re saying, ‘come on, we’ll give him the award’.

"He’s won the World Cup, La Liga, the Super Cup, he plays really well, he’s had an incredible season, he scores goals that nobody else can. Passes, assists, whatever you want.

"Lamine will win more than one, but the sadness will pass in three days. In a few days he will be fine."

While Yamal is obviously one of the best players in the world, it's hard to argue against Kane when looking purely at the stats.

Ballon d'Or – full stats

Yamal's uncle doesn't think Kane deserved to win (FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)
Yamal's uncle doesn't think Kane deserved to win (FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)

1. HARRY KANE

  • Games: 65
  • Goals: 73
  • Assists: 8
  • G/A: 81
  • Goals per Game: 1.12
  • G/A per Game: 1.25
  • Trophies: 3

2. KYLIAN MBAPPÉ

  • Games: 60
  • Goals: 58
  • Assists: 13
  • G/A: 71
  • Goals per Game: 0.97
  • G/A per Game: 1.18
  • Trophies: 0

3. LAMINE YAMAL

  • Games: 57
  • Goals: 25
  • Assists: 20
  • G/A: 45
  • Goals per Game: 0.44
  • G/A per Game: 0.79
  • Trophies: 3

2025/26 — Club + Country

  • Most Goals: Kane (73)
  • Most Assists: Yamal (20)
  • Most Goal Contributions: Kane (81)
  • Best Goals per Game: Kane (1.12)
  • Best G/A per Game: Kane (1.25)
  • Most Trophies: Kane & Yamal (3)

'It’s a dream come true'

Kane has been on fire since his move to Germany (Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
Kane has been on fire since his move to Germany (Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

Kane now follows in the footsteps of Stanley Matthews, Bobby Charlton, Kevin Keegan and Michael Owen after winning the award for the best player in the world.

“My heart was beating fast and I was just hoping he would say my name. I mean, what a legend, Ronaldo was one of my idols growing up, so for him to be the one to present me the award, it’s a dream come true,” the 33-year-old said.

“Honestly just so many amazing feelings and to share these moments with my friends and with my family who are here. Yeah, I would say it’s a dream come true, but it’s beyond my wildest dreams.

“I spoke about my doctor Alejandro (Elorriaga Claraco). We work so much together.

“We spend so much time alone, in the room, on a treatment table, with needles, all those sacrifices, saunas, ice baths, time that I would love to spend with my kids, with my family, with my wife, but it’s all part of the dedication.

“To be at the very top level, you have to sacrifice some time and some things so this trophy is reward for all those people in my life.

“The way I train, the way I play, it is always like I am 15 and 16 with a point to prove.

“Yeah, that’s got me to winning this amazing trophy. Even now, winning this, already I am thinking about, ‘OK, let’s see if we can be even better and let’s see if I can win it again?’ And that will always be my mindset until the day I choose to retire.”

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