Cole Palmer vs Harry Kane Ballon d’Or 2025 has become one of the most talked-about events of the week. The Ballon d’Or for decades has always been viewed as football’s most prestigious individual award, a recognition of excellence, consistency, and influence at the highest level.
But it hasn’t come without its controversies – accusations range from claims of bias against defenders, with only three in history ever winning it (Franz Beckenbauer in 1972 and 1976, Matthias Sammer in 1996, and Fabio Cannavaro in 2006), to debates over whether popularity and media-driven narratives outweigh actual performances.
Each year, fans, pundits, and players alike question the fairness of the rankings, and the 2025 edition has only intensified the debate.
At the recently concluded 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremony, where Ousmane Dembele lifted the prize, many fans expressed frustration over the rankings.
Despite an exceptional season in Germany, Bayern Munich’s star striker Harry Kane was placed 13th, while Chelsea’s Cole Palmer finished eighth, emerging as England’s highest-ranked player. For some, the outcome felt unjust; they value Palmer’s talent but do not believe he should be ranked ahead of Kane.
To win the Ballon d’Or or secure a place in the top 10, a player must demonstrate outstanding individual performance, achieve success with their team, show influence and impact on the pitch, excel against the highest level of competition, remain consistent in big matches, build a strong narrative and recognition, and uphold sportsmanship and professionalism.
Palmer finishing ahead of Kane has sparked major debate after the ceremony, raising the question of whether the Ballon d’Or is moving away from honouring long-term consistency and proven excellence, and instead leaning toward short-term hype and narrative.
Cole Palmer vs Harry Kane Ballon d’Or 2025: Breaking Down the Criteria
Outstanding Individual Performance
The 2024/25 season marked Harry Kane’s second year at Bayern Munich, where he delivered an impressive 50 goal contributions in 46 appearances across all competitions (38 goals and 12 assists), averaging 1.09 goals per game.
Cole Palmer, meanwhile, although less prolific than in his breakthrough campaign, still put up some solid numbers with 26 goal contributions in all competitions.
Kane registered three hat-tricks in the Bundesliga and one in the Champions League. Palmer’s standout moment in the league came in his four-goal haul against Brighton & Hove Albion, a Premier League record as he became the first player ever to score four goals in the first half of a league match.
And in the conference league and CWC finals, he showcased his attacking brilliance: in the Conference League decider, he dragged Chelsea back from a losing position by providing two crucial assists that completely shifted the momentum, while in the Club World Cup final against PSG, he was directly involved in all three first-half goals that sealed victory for his team before the break.
Team Achievement
Kane’s only trophy with Bayern last season was the Bundesliga, which they secured with a comfortable 13-point lead over second-placed Leverkusen.
Palmer, on the other hand, lifted both the UEFA Conference League and the FIFA Club World Cup with Chelsea.
Influence And Impact
Kane
When you think of Bayern, you think of Kane. Ever since his Tottenham days, he has consistently demonstrated his ability to positively influence his team.
At Bayern, he is the focal point and go-to man, not just a scorer, but a player who drops deep, links up play, and occupies defenders, shaping how the entire attack functions. Even on days he doesn’t score, his movement and presence create space and opportunities for teammates.
Impact: When looking at Cole Palmer vs Harry Kane Ballon d’Or 2025, many argue Kane’s 50-goal contributions across the season underline his direct influence. Time and again, he delivered when Bayern needed him most, with goals that proved decisive in keeping them ahead in the Bundesliga race.
His impact, however, was felt more through consistent league performances than through standout, clutch moments in major finals.
Palmer
Influence: The team has been built around Palmer. He operates as Chelsea’s creative engine.
His ability to carry the ball, split defences open with a single pass, and take responsibility in big games while doing it without any form of pressure makes him the player teammates look to when they need a moment of quality
Impact: Unlike Kane, Palmer’s biggest influences have all come in decisive games. In the Conference League final, he flipped the game by assisting twice when Chelsea were behind. In the Club World Cup final, he directly contributed to all three first-half goals against PSG – essentially putting the trophy in Chelsea’s hands before halftime.
Thriving on the Biggest Stage
When it comes to the biggest stage, Harry Kane has a proven record. From his Premier League days with Tottenham to the Champions League and Bundesliga with Bayern, he has consistently led the line with authority and caused problems for the best defences. His performances against tough opponents have established him as a player who thrives under pressure.
Cole Palmer, at just 22, has already shown he can step up in high-stakes Premier League matches, particularly against the traditional “Big Six.” His goals, assists and all-around creativity have often tilted games in Chelsea’s favour.
However, his Champions League experience remains limited to his time at Manchester City, where most of his appearances came as a substitute while he was still breaking into the senior side.
In his first Champions League game for Chelsea, Cole Palmer scored against Kane’s Bayern, showing not only his composure but also his ability to deliver on the biggest stage against one of Europe’s strongest sides.
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Sportsmanship and Professionalism
Both players rank highly in this regard, demonstrating professionalism throughout their careers, particularly in handling transfers from their previous clubs.
Every player at a point in their career will face a test of character, and the outcomes reveal true temperament. While some have faltered and displayed poor attitude, moments like these distinguish good players from exceptional ones.
On and off the field, Kane and Palmer have shown remarkable quality and earned the respect of fellow athletes.
Final Thoughts
The Cole Palmer vs Harry Kane Ballon d’Or 2025 debate has made football-loving fans question the credibility of the award, highlighting a bigger question. Do the organisers reward proven consistency like Kane’s, or short-term brilliance as Palmer delivered for Chelsea?
Palmer is undeniably a superstar, consistently showcasing his talent and edging close to world-class status. After finishing eighth in the 2025 Ballon d’Or rankings, his personal growth, combined with his team’s trophy succes,s could push the Englishman even closer to the award next year. But has he done enough to surpass Kane as the best English player in the world?
Opinions are divided. Some argue he hasn’t, while others believe he fully deserves the recognition.
However, considering Kane’s proven consistency and influence at the highest level, the debate intensifies, with the edge arguably leaning slightly in his favour.
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / Pro Sports Images
Recording Date: 20.09.2025