Harry Kane Responds to Kylian Mbappe’s Absence at Ballon d'Or Ceremony

Harry Kane has shared his thoughts on Kylian Mbappe skipping the Ballon d'Or ceremony, where the Bayern Munich striker was honored alongside the Real Madrid star by receiving the Gerd Muller Trophy.

A Shared Honor

Both Kane and Mbappe were recognized for their remarkable performances during the 2023-24 season, having each scored an impressive 52 goals for their respective clubs and countries. While Kane attended the ceremony in Paris to accept the prestigious award, Mbappe chose not to participate as Real Madrid decided to boycott the event in response to Vinicius Junior's Ballon d'Or snub.

Personal Choices

After receiving the award, Kane expressed his happiness about the recognition but refrained from commenting on Mbappe’s decision to miss the ceremony. He referred to it as a "personal decision" and highlighted their successful seasons, stating, "We both had a very good season and, like me, he scored 52 goals. It's a great honor to be rewarded."

Kane emphasized that while he would be curious to know the reasons behind Mbappe's absence, he was pleased to be present at the ceremony regardless.

Continuing Success

Both players have continued to excel in the current season, with Kane scoring eight goals and Mbappe finding the net 15 times in the ongoing 2024-25 campaign. Their consistent performance has kept them among the elite forwards in football, and fans are eager to see how they will contribute to their teams in the coming matches.

Upcoming Matches

Following the ceremony, Kane is set to return to Munich, where he will prepare for Bayern Munich's upcoming match against Mainz in the DFB Pokal second round on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Mbappe will be back in action for Real Madrid as they travel to Valencia in La Liga on Saturday. Both players will be looking to build on their impressive starts to the season and continue their goal-scoring form.

In summary, Harry Kane expressed his delight at receiving the Gerd Muller Trophy while acknowledging Kylian Mbappe’s absence from the Ballon d'Or ceremony as a personal choice. As both players remain key figures for their clubs, their performances will be closely watched in the weeks to come as they aim to maintain their high standards on the pitch.