ESPN FC Harry Kane Wins Ballon d'Or
Oct 26, 2026
Mario Melchiot, former Netherlands and Chelsea right-back; Frank Leboeuf, World Cup-winning France defender; Jan Aage Fjortoft, former Norway striker; and Stevie Nicol, ex-Liverpool captain, celebrate Harry Kane’s Ballon d’Or triumph. They debate Manchester United’s crisis and the need for a transformational manager, assess Tottenham, Chelsea and Liverpool, and dissect Real Madrid’s Clásico victory, Barcelona’s response and Mbappé’s questionable celebration.
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Spain’s Team Success Still Missed The Main Prize
- Spain dominated several Ballon d’Or categories, yet Yamal missed the main men’s award after helping win the World Cup.
- Alex Kirkland noted that Spanish disappointment echoed the reaction after Spain’s 2010 triumph.
Carrick Lost The Dressing Room
- Manchester United’s players appear not to trust or understand Carrick’s instructions, leaving him with little room to recover.
- Stevie Nicol called him a dead man walking once the dressing room stopped listening.
United’s Crisis Runs Deeper Than Carrick
- The panel argued that sacking Carrick would not solve United’s deeper problems with recruitment, player attitude, leadership, and accountability.
- Jan Aage Fjortoft said the squad no longer deserved the club’s stature.