Gary Lineker slams Ballon d'Or 2026 ceremony as 'shambles' after Kane beats Mbappé
Harry Kane edged Kylian Mbappé by 28 points to win the 2026 Ballon d'Or at Monday's ceremony in London, but the real story is what happened off the pitch. Gary Lineker, speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, called the event a "shambles" — disorganised, overly focused on the red carpet, and strangely dismissive of Mbappé who sat in the front row.
Lineker said he expected Mbappé to get a "little whisper" that he'd won, given his presence, but the French star was barely acknowledged during the broadcast. Kane's Bayern Munich form clearly swayed voters, yet the ceremony's chaos overshadowed the achievement.
For Nigerian fans tracking European football's biggest individual prize, this raises questions about voting transparency and event management. The 28-point margin suggests a decisive win, but Lineker's critique hints at deeper organisational flaws.
Do you think Kane's season warranted the award over Mbappé, or does the ceremony shambles cast doubt on the process?