Lamine Yamal's uncle makes shock Harry Kane claim after Ballon d'Or win: 'Everyone knows'

Lamine Yamal's uncle Abdul Abdellaoui criticised Kane's Ballon d'Or win, claiming the England captain was awarded it because his career is ending soon.

Lamine Yamal's uncle Abdul Abdellaoui has launched a scathing attack on Harry Kane's 2026 Ballon d'Or win, suggesting the England captain was given the award out of sympathy rather than merit.

In an interview with Spanish radio show El Larguero, Abdellaoui expressed disappointment at Yamal finishing third behind Kane and Kylian Mbappe. He claimed his nephew was "the best player in the world" and that fans would rather watch Yamal than Kane. Abdellaoui then implied Kane received the award because "with only three days of football left, they're saying, 'come on, we'll give him the award'."

Abdellaoui acknowledged Kane's achievements—World Cup winner, La Liga champion, prolific goalscorer with 73 goals in 65 appearances last season—but argued Yamal's youth meant voters were holding back, expecting him to win multiple awards in future. The 19-year-old Barcelona forward has now finished in the Ballon d'Or top 10 three times, including second place last year to Ousmane Dembele.