Emmanuel Petit Rules Harry Kane Out of Ballon d’Or Race After World Cup Performances
Former Arsenal and France midfielder Emmanuel Petit has sparked debate by claiming Harry Kane is no longer in contention for the Ballon d’Or following England’s World Cup campaign.
Despite England reaching the semi-finals, Thomas Tuchel’s side suffered a heartbreaking 2-1 defeat to Argentina after conceding twice late in the game, extending the nation’s long wait for a major international trophy. While Tuchel’s cautious tactics have come under scrutiny, several players—including captain Harry Kane—have also faced criticism.
Petit believes Kane failed to deliver when it mattered most, despite enjoying an outstanding season with Bayern Munich.
> “Harry Kane’s Ballon d’Or chances are over,” Petit said. “He scored plenty of goals and had an excellent Bundesliga campaign, but in the Champions League and for England, he disappeared in the biggest matches. There are several players ahead of him.”
Kane’s remarkable season saw him score 61 goals in 51 appearances, including 36 Bundesliga goals, 14 in the Champions League, 10 in the DFB-Pokal, and one in the Supercup, helping Bayern Munich complete a domestic treble.
However, Bayern’s Champions League campaign ended in the semi-finals against Paris Saint-Germain, while England’s World Cup journey also ended in the last four. Kane still finished the tournament with six goals in seven matches, but England fell short of reaching the final.
With no clear standout candidate emerging after the World Cup, the Ballon d’Or race remains wide open. Nevertheless, Petit believes Kane’s performances in football’s biggest moments have left him trailing behind other contenders.
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