Harry Kane Wins 70th Ballon d’Or, Highlighting French Players’ Achievements
This Monday, October 26, Harry Kane clinched the prestigious 70th Ballon d’Or, becoming the first English recipient since Michael Owen in 2001.
The awards ceremony placed a significant spotlight on the top ten players, with notable French athletes including Ousmane Dembélé, Kylian Mbappé, and Michael Olise. Kylian Mbappé, who secured second place, made history by being included in the top ten for nine consecutive years, a record shared only with Michel Platini, who won the award three times during his career. Remarkably, Mbappé is the only French player to accomplish this feat without securing a Ballon d’Or title.
For context, fellow French icons Zinedine Zidane and Thierry Henry both finished in the top ten seven times, with Zidane holding one Ballon d’Or victory. Other notable players include Raymond Kopa, with one win and five top-10 finishes, along with Marcel Desailly, who appeared three times.
The highest ratios belong to Karim Benzema, Jean-Pierre Papin, and Ousmane Dembélé, each achieving two top-10 finishes alongside one Ballon d’Or win. Ngolo Kanté, Antoine Griezmann, Eric Cantona, and Alain Giresse also made the top ten twice.
As fans discuss the accolades, one question arises: which of these talented players do you believe deserved the Ballon d’Or? Your thoughts are welcome in the comments section!
