Christoph Kramer has predicted Lamine Yamal will win the Ballon d'Or, suggesting the award's outcome 'has to do with magic and looks'. The former Germany international made the claim while working as a pundit during Bayern Munich's 3-3 Champions League draw with Viking Stavanger on Tuesday.
Kramer argued that if football coaches voted, the winner would be Bayern striker Harry Kane, who scored twice in that match. "I think if all the coaches in the world voted, it would be Harry Kane," Kramer said. He clarified his view was not a criticism of the media, stating journalists "obviously understand football too".
The pundit's pick
Despite his personal admiration for Kane, Kramer does not believe the 100 journalists from FIFA's top-ranked nations will select the England captain. The winner will be announced at a ceremony in Paris on 26 October. The 2014 World Cup winner named Barcelona's teenage winger as his final choice. "Because it also has to do with magic and appearance, I'll say Lamine Yamal," he explained.
Kramer added that in his view, Kane is "more valuable to Bayern than any other player is to their team". The Ballon d'Or vote has frequently caused controversy, such as in 2013 when Franck Ribery finished third despite winning a treble with Bayern, and in 2024 when Real Madrid boycotted after learning Vinicius Junior had placed second. Shelbourne's next fixture is an away trip to face St Patrick's Athletic on 16 October.
Background and full detail: Goal.com
