The race for the Ballon d'Or has heated up following the conclusion of the World Cup. Bayern Munich duo Harry Kane and Michael Olise have both made a great case throughout the season as deserved winners of the trophy.
Kane has been an absolute scoring machine while Olise broke the assist record in the World Cup and registered one of the best playmaking seasons of all time.
With Spain lifting the World Cup and Paris Saint-Germain clinching the UEFA Champions League, arguments for the Ballon d'Or can be made for Rodri, Lamine Yamal, Ousmane Dembele and also Kylian Mbappe for the honours.
Many believe that in a "World Cup season", the players who performed the best in the tournament or won it might have the upper edge when it comes to the individual award. Lionel Messi in 2022, Fabio Cannavaro in 2006, and Ronaldo in 2002 are common examples of Ballon d'Or winners who benefited from a successful World Cup campaign.
However, the Ballon d'Or organisers may have debunked that myth with the latest article titled "Can you win the Ballon d'Or without winning the World Cup?" published on the official website.
Writer Theo Troude found out that only 57% (4/7) of Ballon d'Or winners in World Cup years actually won football's biggest title. While this article is completely neutral and offers a counterintuitive perspective to the common belief that World Cup winners should win the Ballon d'Or, the timing might strike as odd for many people.
Looking at Spain's winning squad, two names stand out: Rodri and Lamine Yamal.
Rodri had an amazing summer, bossing up the midfield and conquering Portugal, France and Argentina en route to his Player of the Tournament award. Yet, at club level, he was subpar, highlighted by his continuous battles with injuries.
Lamine Yamal, on the other hand, was phenomenal for Barcelona in their domestic-double campaign. But his World Cup left a lot to be desired, with only one goal contribution the whole tournament.
Having said that, did the Ballon d'Or website indicate that this year's winner might not be Spanish?
Kane has a strong case for the Ballon d'Or
Bayern Munich's Harry Kane now rises atop many people's leaderboard with his impressive stats and general play. The Englishman tallies 81 goal involvements for club and country. His 73-goal campaign is a record number that trails behind Lionel Messi in history. No other players in the world have numbers remotely comparable to Kane this season, nor in history (except for Messi, of course).
The 32-year-old's deep-lying forward play was so exceptional this season. He was often seen in Bayern's own box helping the defence and operating as a defensive midfielder dictating tempo.
The former Spurs striker also has the silverware and team accolades to back up his impressive performances by winning the domestic treble, bronze medal at the World Cup, and reaching the semifinals in the Champions League.
When it comes to moments, Harry Kane is big-time. He scored in every Champions League knockout game, a hat trick in the DFB-Pokal final, a crucial brace against DR Congo to get England over the hump, and a two-goal contribution game against Mexico. This season, Kane has done it all, and he has done it better than all.
The prestigious award announced that the next winner will be crowned on October 26 in London, a slight change in location compared to the traditional setting in Paris.
Is this a sign that an Englishman might win it since Michael Owen 25 years ago?
Add us as a preferred source on Google