Harry Kane’s Ballon d’Or disrespect row: French superstars Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele fail to even stand to shake humble winner’s hand

French football superstars Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele have been accused of disrespecting Harry Kane after failing to stand to shake his hand before he won the Ballon d’Or – the prize for the world’s best footballer – on Monday night.

Humble hero Kane posted last night saying: ‘Work hard in silence. Let success be your noise.’ But Real Madrid striker Mbappe had backed himself before the ceremony saying: ‘I always think I’m the best [player in the world] but everyone has their own opinion. Maybe it’s a good year for this.’

In footage from the London Palladium, Kane, 33, can be seen greeting Mbappe and Paris Saint-Germain star Dembele in the theatre, while they pay little attention to him.

Both French players stay firmly in their seats as Kane crouches to grasp their hands – with Mbappe in particular looking elsewhere before the Englishman grabs his attention.

Kane would go on to win the award, beating Mbappe by fewer than 41 points – a tighter margin than the last close race in 2024 between Rodri and Vinicius Jnr – the director of the Ballon d’Or organisation revealed.

In footage from the ceremony, Mbappe also does not stand up to congratulate Kane when he is announced as the winner. 

Dembele, last year’s winner, finished seventh in the rankings behind third-place Lamine Yamal, Rodri, Lionel Messi and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

French outlet RMC report there were ‘tensions’ among a number of players including Dembele, who was forced to wait an hour at his hotel before departing for the Palladium and there were no refreshments or barriers set up when he arrived. The ceremony was also delayed.

Dembele later complained about a 30-minute wait to leave the venue when vans and buses could not reach the red carpet to pick VIPs up afterwards.

The London ceremony capped a chaotic evening for football’s top individual prize. Profiles of at least three ‘winners’ were published on their website before the ceremony had begun – proclaiming Kane, Mbappe and Yamal as the victors separately.

A statement from the organisers read: ‘Portraits of some Ballon d’Or nominees, prepared by Ballondor.com, were inadvertently published online. These articles had been written in advance for each of the nominees, in the event of a victory.

‘They reveal nothing about the podium, which remains, to this day, unknown to everyone.’

In France, there are suggestions that Champions League winners PSG, Dembele’s club, sabotaged themselves by failing to orchestrate a voting block for one player.

Dembele, Kvaratskhelia, Achraf Hakimi, Vitinha, Ferran Torres, Joao Neves, Willian Pacho, Nuno Mendes and Marquinhos all ranked in the final top 30 list.

England captain Kane, often hailed for his humble attitude, used a 12-minute winner’s speech to thank a long list of people from his life and career – right from his former Leyton Orient manager Russell Slade to current boss Vincent Kompany and his wife Kate. 

‘Wow. Wow, wow, wow,’ Kane said. ‘First of all… I’m almost speechless. Luckily I have this list here! 

‘Thank you again to France Football, for the Ballon d’Or, for putting on this amazing event. Being here in London as well has made it extra special. It looked like a good omen today, so thank you very much.

‘Thank you to everyone who voted for me. I can imagine it was very tough this year, some of the incredible players I was up against. Some of my team-mates and some of the world-class players that are in the room tonight.’

He later added: ‘I want to give out a shout out to some of my coaches who have helped me along the way. If I’ve forgotten anyone, I’m really sorry.

‘Bradley Allen, Chris Ramsey, John McDermott, Alex Inglethorpe, Tim Sherwood. Ryan Mason, Kenny Jackett, Russell Slade, Harry Redknapp, Mauricio Pochettino, Jose Mourinho, Antonio Conte. Roy Hodgson, Gareth Southgate and, of course, my two managers Vinnie and Thomas (Tuchel) now.

‘All of you have played a big role in my development, all at different stages in my life. Without each and every one of you, I wouldn’t be standing here today. For sure, I learned lots, and when you surround yourself with the best people, the best coaches, it only enhances you as a person and a player.’ 

Kane is the first English winner of the Ballon d’Or in 25 years – since Michael Owen was crowned the world’s best footballer in 2001. 

READ MORE: Harry Kane’s Ballon d’Or triumph was vindication for a superstar brimming with quiet excellence who swerves flashy controversy, writes OLIVER HOLT – and a win for English football