Daijiworld Media Network – Munich

Munich, Sep 26: Ousmane Dembele may have deserved the Ballon d’Or 2025 for his pivotal role in Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League triumph, but Harry Kane’s shock 13th-place ranking has reignited debate over perceived bias against Bundesliga players.

Kane’s debut season at Bayern Munich in 2024-25 was sensational. The English striker recorded 55 goal contributions (41 goals, 14 assists), exceeding expectations as Robert Lewandowski’s successor. Yet, despite a world-class performance, Kane fell outside the top 10, raising questions about the award’s criteria and consistency.

Fans and analysts see parallels with Robert Lewandowski, who faced similar snubs. In 2019-20, despite leading Bayern Munich to a historic sextuple, the Ballon d’Or was canceled due to COVID-19. When the award returned in 2021, Lewandowski was denied the top spot to Lionel Messi despite a superior statistical performance, highlighting a recurring Bundesliga bias.

Critics argue that top strikers performing in La Liga or the Premier League often receive more recognition, while achievements in Germany are undervalued. “The parallels between Lewandowski and Kane are stark,” analysts note, citing a long-standing undervaluation of the Bundesliga in global awards.

Kane has continued his remarkable form into the 2025-26 season, scoring 17 goals and 3 assists in 12 matches for club and country. Fans hope this consistency could secure a podium finish in next year’s Ballon d’Or, though players like Kylian Mbappe, Lamine Yamal, and Ousmane Dembele may continue to dominate attention in France Football’s rankings.

The debate raises a critical question: can a player dominate in Germany and still claim football’s most prestigious individual award, or will the Bundesliga remain chronically underrated on the global stage?