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2026 Ballon d'Or: Lamine Yamal's Uncle Sparks Outrage With Harry Kane Comments
Left image: Action Images via Reuters/Matthew Childs Right image: Action Images via Reuters/Matthew Childs

Oct 27, 2026, 12:30 PM GMT

James is a Senior Editor for GIVEMESPORT with over eight years of experience in the industry.

After graduating from the University of Southampton in 2016 with a degree in history, he joined the company as an Academy member in July 2017 and, after a short time working as a freelancer, was given a full-time role in February 2018. 

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Lamine Yamal's uncle, Abdul Abdellaoui, has expressed his annoyance after Harry Kane won the 2026 Ballon d'Or award.

Kane became just the fifth Englishman in football history to win the Ballon d'Or on Monday evening. Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe finished in a close second, while Yamal completed the podium.

Yamal, at just 19 years of age, was bidding to become the youngest ever Ballon d'Or winner, but he just fell short in his bid to make history.

The youngster, who scored 25 goals and recorded 20 assists in 57 matches across all competitions, while also helping Barcelona to the La Liga title and Spain to World Cup glory, had to settle for third.

He did not walk away from the ceremony empty-handed, though. He was named the Kopa Trophy for the third consecutive year, an award given to the best young player in the world.

Lamine Yamal's Uncle Slams Ballon d'Or Decision

Lamine Yamal
Action Images via Reuters/Matthew Childs

Speaking last month, Yamal said last month that he believes he is the best player in the world and deserves to win the Ballon d'Or.

That is a view shared by his uncle, Abdellaoui. Speaking to El Larguero after Kane was announced as the winner, Abdellaoui expressed his disbelief at the outcome.

“Well, the truth is it’s really sad, I feel really bad," he said, per the Metro. "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.

“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.”

Abdellaoui's comments have gone down very badly on Reddit. 'Just disrespectful and embarrassing', one fan said, while another commented: 'So devoid of class.'

A third wrote: 'This is extremely disrespectful to Kane. Imagine saying that Kane is not fun to watch. Get the f*** out of here', while a fourth stated: 'What an ass. Such a rude comment.'

A fifth said: 'Insufferable. As incredible as Lamine is, this type of garbage makes me hope he doesn’t ever win it then,' while a sixth commented: 'Imagine being an adult and talking like that.'

Fees correct prior to summer 2026

All 10 found — excellent!

Barcelona's president, Joan Laporta, also said that Yamal deserved to win the Ballon d'Or. He said, per Mundo Deportivo:

"In my view, he did enough to win the Ballon d'Or, but the voters decided the matter this way, and that must be accepted in a sporting spirit. I hope this will be a motivation for him on a personal level, and I am sure it will be. All his teammates will help him get over this disappointment quickly.

"This is unique, and Lamine has achieved it since he was sixteen years old, and it is an achievement that deserves praise. He deserves everything, and we will all help him to be more motivated to win this award next year."

After an electric start to the 2026/27 campaign, Yamal is the early frontrunner to win the award next year.

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