Harry Kane winning the Ballon d’Or does not make up for Robert Lewandowski and Franck Ribéry getting hosed in their respective races for football’s biggest individual honor, but it certainly eases the sting a little.
Bayern Munich supporters have long memories, and the frustration surrounding those two snubs is not going anywhere. Ribéry looked destined to win the award in 2013 after helping Bayern Munich complete an extraordinary treble, only to watch Cristiano Ronaldo take home the prize. Despite
Ribéry’s enormous contributions to one of the greatest teams in club football, the Frenchman was left empty-handed.
Then came Lewandowski. The Polish striker delivered arguably the most frustrating Ballon d’Or injustice of them all in 2020, when the award was canceled entirely because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Lewandowski had enjoyed a sensational season, leading Bayern Munich to the Champions League, Bundesliga, and DFB-Pokal titles while scoring goals at a ridiculous rate. The award was never presented, leaving him without the recognition he deserved. You could also argue that Lewandowski deserved the award in 2021 when he broke the Bundesliga goalscoring record.
Kane’s triumph cannot rewrite either of those chapters. Ribéry will always be a Ballon d’Or winner in the eyes of Bayern Munich supporters, and Lewandowski’s 2020 and 2021 campaigns deserve their own place in football history.
Still, seeing Kane receive this recognition is a meaningful moment for Bayern Munich. The Englishman has produced an outstanding season, and his achievement reinforces that players can reach the very top of the individual game in Munich.
The old wounds remain, but at least Bayern Munich finally has another Ballon d’Or winner to celebrate.
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