Harry Kane’s Ballon d’Or Win Reignites Debate Over Award’s Global Scope

Harry Kane of Bayern Munich recently became the first English player to win the Ballon d’Or since Michael Owen in 2001. While this achievement marks a significant milestone for English football, it has also prompted a broader discussion about the criteria used to determine individual excellence in a team sport. For two decades, the conversation was dominated by the rivalry between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, who collectively claimed 13 of the 17 awards handed out between 2008 and 2025.

The intense focus on these two superstars helped transform the prize, first presented in 1956 to Sir Stanley Matthews, into a major global event. However, this commercial growth has raised questions about whether the award still accurately reflects its original purpose. Critics argue that the increasing branding of athletes has shifted the dynamic of the competition. Steve Martin, a founding partner of MSQ Sport and Entertainment, noted that players now build their own profiles and fanbases independently of their clubs, marketing themselves as individual brands.

Not everyone views this commercial shift positively. Former Switzerland defender Ramon Vega argued that the monetization of the award is moving it in the wrong direction. He suggested that the spectacle surrounding the event should not overshadow the fundamental question of what constitutes true individual performance on the pitch.

Beyond commercial concerns, the Ballon d’Or has long faced criticism for favoring attacking players over those in defensive or goalkeeping roles. Lev Yashin remains the only goalkeeper to have won the award, a feat he accomplished in 1963. In defense, Fabio Cannavaro was the last winner in 2006, with Franz Beckenbauer and Matthias Sammer being other notable recipients. Cannavaro himself argued in 2006 that goalkeepers and defenders are integral to the spectacle and deserve recognition for their consistent impact on matches.

A more persistent issue is the award's heavy reliance on European football. For nearly four decades after its inception, only European players were eligible. This restriction was eased in 1995 to include non-European players at European clubs, and finally opened to players worldwide in 2007. Despite these changes, recognition of talent outside Europe and South America remains limited.

George Weah of Liberia, who won the award in 1995, remains the only player from outside Europe and South America to claim the honor. In a recent interview, Weah expressed surprise that no other African player has won since his victory. He recalled his early passion for the game and his belief that other deserving players were overlooked by the selectors.

Samuel Eto’o, the former Cameroon striker, is another name often mentioned in discussions of deserving candidates who never won. Jose Mourinho, who managed Eto’o at Inter Milan, stated in a 2019 interview that Eto’o’s impressive career, including multiple Champions League titles and league championships, justified a win. He described the omission as something out of the players' control.

Although the award now features an international voting panel of journalists from 100 countries, geographical representation does not always ensure fair recognition of global talent. Organizers, France Football, are urged to draw on a more comprehensive understanding of the game to select nominees and winners.

To maintain its prestige, the Ballon d’Or must address its shortcomings regarding position bias and regional focus. It should celebrate excellence across all roles and continents, rather than being dominated by the biggest stars in Europe’s top leagues. Only by broadening its scope can the award truly claim to identify the best footballer in the world.