Argentina rejects Kane's Ballon d'Or win

Argentine media has rejected Harry Kane's 2026 Ballon d'Or victory, maintaining that Lionel Messi remains the world's best player. Argentine newspapers, including 'Olé', have expressed skepticism about the outcome of the awards.

The front page of 'Olé' featured a sarcastic headline: 'Aunkane ganes o pierdas', a play on Kane's name, implying that Messi's status as the best will not change regardless of the voting results.

The newspaper stated that 'Messi is always the best for us, even if the Europeans chose the Bayern Munich player and gave the greatest legend in history a modest fifth place.'

Beyond questioning the vote, the Argentine press also referenced the 2022 World Cup semi-final, where Argentina defeated England, branding that result a permanent stain on Kane's career.

The newspaper claimed: 'The stigma of defeat to Messi and Argentina in the semi-final will never be erased. Nevertheless, Leo Messi will remain the best for us, and the World Cup proved that once again.'

Kane won the 2026 Ballon d'Or ahead of France's Kylian Mbappé in second and Spain's Lamine Yamal in third. Rodri came fourth, with Messi finishing in fifth place.