Harry Kane’s hopes of winning the Ballon d’Or are over after failing to have a major influence in England’s World Cup semi-final against Argentina, according to Emmanuel Petit.
England were beaten 2-1 by Argentina in the semi-final earlier this month, with Thomas Tuchel’s side stung by two late goals after Anthony Gordon had put them ahead.
Tuchel’s defensive substitutions were scrutinised post-match with England having dropped deep into their own half, with the view the Three Lions had invited Argentina to keep attacking.
England captain Kane was among those to have dropped back as the match went on, with the forward unable to make an impact in Argentina’s half.
Petit, who won the World Cup with France in 1998, has claimed Kane’s lack of impact in the match will hold him back when it comes to voting for the Ballon d’Or.
Kane has been seen among the favourites to win the honour, which would make him the first Englishman since Michael Owen in 2001 to win the honour, having scored 72 goals for Bayern Munich and England during the season.
Harry Kane’s chances of winning the Ballon d’Or are claimed to have taken a blow
Emmanuel Petit believes Kane’s chances ‘are over’ after accussing him of disappearing in England’s World Cup semi-final loss to Argentina
‘Harry Kane’s Ballon d’Or chances are over. If you base that only on the German league, okay, no problem at all,’ Petit told Mr Gamble, via Goal.
‘But in the Champions League and with the national team, when it started to be really hard to win, I think he disappeared.
‘I can’t point the finger at him because he tried everything he could, and he scored many goals, but he didn’t have an impact in the big games, just like in the Champions League.
‘I think there are a few names ahead of him.’
Kane still finished the World Cup with six goals, while he scored 14 goals in 13 games in the Champions League.
This included scoring in both legs of the quarter-finals and semi-finals against Real Madrid and PSG, respectively.
Former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder Petit has instead suggested Rodri and Lamine Yamal’s performances at the World Cup will help put them in contention for the prize.
Rodri was named as the World Cup’s player of the tournament, with the midfielder a crucial figure in Spain’s triumph.
Petit highlighted Rodri as a leading contender after his crucial role in Spain’s World Cup triumph
‘Yamal, he had a great World Cup,’ Petit said.
‘You know the rules for the Ballon d’Or have changed so much, just like the rules on the pitch. Rodri has been the best player again during this competition. Messi had a great competition, but he plays for [Inter] Miami.
‘I know the World Cup is above any title you want with your club. But in the meantime, you have to win the title. Is it going to be a Spanish player? I have no idea.
‘But it’s going to be tough and in the end, I hope it won’t be a commercial decision.’
