Harry Kane has made history, becoming the first Englishman in 25 years to lift the Ballon d'Or. Yet, the celebrations are not without controversy, especially following sharp criticism from former Manchester City star Samir Nasri.
Over the past season, the 33-year-old forward netted an impressive 73 goals across all competitions. For Bayern Munich, he struck 61 times, setting a club record and helping secure domestic doubles. However, the Bavarians fell short in the Champions League semi-finals against PSG, while England suffered defeat to Argentina in the semi-finals of the World Cup. In an appearance on Canal+, Nasri suggested that Kane's statistics mask a deeper issue.
Harry Kane, Ballon d'Or... Okay, statistics made the difference. He is a fantastic player with many qualities. But he has never been the player to drag his team somewhere or to make his team win in very important matches. There is often a slight weakness. Still, he is an extraordinary player.
When asked whether the ceremony's outcome pleased him, Nasri's response was notably brief.
No, and that’s putting it mildly!
In response to the criticism, Arsenal legend Thierry Henry stood up for Kane, declaring him a worthy winner. Following the award announcement, Kane reflected on his arduous career journey.
Not many would think this was possible, and perhaps I wouldn’t have thought so either, that I would get this far. I’ve gone through many ups and downs, especially early in my career. I was never the person people thought would become a superstar like some of the guys nowadays. I had to wait for my moment and work hard — it was often a battle with myself, and I needed to have faith and determination. I believe this has grounded me even when I achieved success at the highest level, prompting me to keep improving and getting better.
