SNOW TV NEWS DESK
Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane has made an unusual piece of football history after becoming the first reigning Ballon d’Or winner to miss out on the FIFPRO Men’s World XI since the award was introduced in 2005.
The England captain’s omission came as a surprise, particularly considering his remarkable performances during the 2025/2026 season, which saw him establish himself as one of the most prolific goalscorers in European football.
According to the voting results announced on Monday, November 9, Kane finished fifth in the attackers’ category, receiving 27.6 percent of the votes from 19,806 professional male footballers worldwide.
The result ends a 21-year tradition in which every reigning Ballon d’Or winner had earned a place in the prestigious team.
Kane’s exclusion is particularly striking given his outstanding contribution to Bayern Munich’s domestic success. The striker scored an incredible 61 goals in 51 appearances during the campaign, helping the German giants secure both the league and domestic cup titles.
His impressive scoring record also extended to international football, taking his overall tally to 73 goals before he was crowned the 2026 Ballon d’Or winner at the 70th edition of the ceremony held at the London Palladium.
He also scored six goals at the World Cup, helping England reach the semi-finals before making history as the first Englishman to win the Ballon d’Or since Michael Owen in 2001.
Despite those achievements, fellow attackers received stronger support from their professional colleagues.
Kylian Mbappé topped the attackers’ voting with 46 per cent, followed by Barcelona youngster Lamine Yamal with 37.4 per cent. Lionel Messi secured third place with 29.5 per cent, while Manchester City striker Erling Haaland finished fourth with 28.4 per cent.
Football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano highlighted Kane’s unexpected absence in a post on X following the announcement.
Interestingly, Kane was not the only major name missing from this year’s selection. Several established stars, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Michael Olise, Bruno Fernandes, Pedri, and Declan Rice, also failed to make the final team.
Goalkeepers Thibaut Courtois and Emiliano Martínez were among the notable omissions, while defenders Virgil van Dijk, William Saliba, and Gabriel Magalhães also missed out.
The FIFPRO Men’s World XI is particularly significant because it is determined exclusively by professional footballers, making it a form of recognition from fellow players rather than journalists, coaches, or supporters.
For Kane, the omission does not erase what was arguably the most productive season of his career. However, it highlights how even an outstanding individual campaign and football’s biggest individual honor do not automatically guarantee a place among the players’ chosen best eleven.
“Sir Bartholomew White Ebe is a Lagos-based media personality, Music Artist, Producer, and a Relationship Coach and independent journalist. With over seven years of experience tracking political developments and cultural shifts in Nigeria, he specializes in local current affairs, grassroots politics, and community-driven reporting across Lagos State. As the founder and chief editor of Snow Multimedia Connect {SNOW TV}, he leads the editorial team to deliver verified, high-impact stories to digital audiences.”
Email: snowmediaconnect@gmail.com
