Anthony Gordon was Bayern Munich’s primary transfer target at the beginning of the summer transfer window, but Newcastle were unwilling to let the Englishman go for less than £75m — £20m more than Die Rekordmeister were willing to fork out. The 25-year-old attacker penned a deal with Barcelona instead.

Gordon now finds himself in an interesting position in the midst of the 2026 Ballon d’Or debate.

It’s Harry Kane versus Lamine Yamal for the title of the best player in the world, according to the general consensus. Record-breaking season versus World Cup winner. Experience versus youth. World class player versus world class player. But who deserves the prestigious award?

Gordon may have one of the best insights into the generational battle after sharing the field with both players — Kane for the England national team and Yamal at Barcelona. But there was only one thing Gordon is certain of.

”For me, it has to be one of the two in terms of what they’ve achieved,” said the Barcelona winger before fawning over Yamal (as captured by @iMiaSanMia). “What Lamine’s achieved at such a young age. The kind of player he is, is ridiculous. He’s on a whole other level right now. For a 19-year-old to be doing what he’s doing is crazy.”

However, the former Magpies attacker isn’t ready to place all his chips on Yamal.

“But if we were talking off last season, H [Kane] has got as big of an argument as anybody because his season was historic,” said Gordon. “The amount of goals he scored, the things he’s done for us within the World Cup, they both have large arguments. So I wish them both the best of luck.”

One thing is certain: it’s going to be a fierce battle between two footballers at the peak of their powers.