The Ballon d’Or has a narrow definition of footballing greatness

Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane became the first Englishman since Michael Owen in 2001 to win the Ballon d’Or, at a ceremony in London on October 26, 2026. His victory renews the question of how individual excellence can be assessed fairly in a team sport. From 2008 to 2017, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo won the award every year, together claiming 13 of the 17 trophies presented between 2008 and 2025. The author questions the award’s commercialisation, its preference for attacking players and its disproportionate focus on European football.