Harry Kane secured the Ballon d’Or with an extraordinary season. The FC Bayern striker set numerous records and was rewarded for his performances with the most prestigious individual award in world soccer. But not everyone agrees with the decision. Chelsea star Marc Cucurella would have preferred to see the award go to a different player.

In an interview with the Spanish TV channel El Chiringuito, the 28-year-old spoke surprisingly candidly about the selection of the World Player of the Year. While Cucurella in no way questioned the Bayern striker’s achievements, he made it clear that he personally would have preferred two other candidates.

Kylian Mbappé and Lamine Yamal, in particular, have impressed the Spanish international. For Cucurella, these two attacking stars are exactly the kind of players who make soccer especially exciting with their extraordinary skills.

“I was a little surprised.”

“Well, I wouldn’t say it was unfair—because if you look at his stats, those are numbers that Harry Kane may never reach again. In that sense, he had an outstanding season,” Cucurella explained.

Despite this recognition, the left back would have made a different choice in the voting.

“Personally, I would have given the award to Mbappé or Lamine. Because ultimately, those are exactly the players I tune in to watch as a soccer fan,” emphasized the Chelsea pro.

Cucurella thus made it clear that, for him, individual style of play plays a decisive role alongside goals, assists, and titles.

However, the Spaniard didn’t want to interpret this as a fundamental criticism of Kane. “It’s not that Kane didn’t deserve it, but I have to say: I was a little surprised,” the 28-year-old clarified.

England stars celebrate Kane after historic record

While Cucurella would have preferred to see the Ballon d’Or go to Mbappé or Yamal, Kane enjoys the highest regard within the English national team.

Just last Thursday evening, the Bayern star made history once again. In the 2-1 victory over Croatia, the 33-year-old played his 126th international match, becoming England’s all-time record holder for international appearances.

In addition, Kane ended his brief scoring drought—having gone three consecutive competitive matches without a goal for Bayern—by converting a penalty kick.

His teammates were subsequently full of praise for their captain. “He’s tireless, maintains his work ethic and focus—and that’s exactly how he gets results,” gushed Morgan Rogers.

The England international also sees this as the decisive reason for Kane’s award. “That’s why he’s the Ballon d’Or winner: his attitude and work ethic are tireless. You don’t achieve that by accident,” Rogers emphasized.

Tuchel raves about Kane’s complete package

England national team coach Thomas Tuchel also had words of praise for the Bayern striker after the historic evening.

When asked about the secret to Kane’s success, the former Bayern coach told ITV: “There’s no secret. It’s his personality. It’s talent, hard work, dedication. Focus—the whole package.”

These comments show why Kane is held in such high regard by his teammates and coaches.

The 33-year-old has long since proven himself to be more than just a classic goal-scorer. In recent years, he has also developed into a playmaker, a leader, and a key component of the team’s offensive play.

For Cucurella, on the other hand, the spectacular individual plays by Mbappé and Yamal apparently take center stage.

However, even the Spaniard doesn’t dispute that Kane deserves the Ballon d’Or on the field. Rather, his comments show just how different the criteria can be when evaluating the world’s best soccer players.

This article was translated into English by AI. You can read the original version here https://fcbinside.de/2026/11/13/war-ein-wenig-ueberrascht-cucurella-zweifelt-an-kanes-ballon-dor-sieg/.