Neither Lamine Yamal, nor Kylian Mbappé. 25 years after the last time, an Englishman reigns in world football. Bayern striker Harry Kane has won the Ballon d'Or with the most uncertain forecast in years, and has managed to emulate Michael Owen's feat in 2001. A prize that he received precisely in London, his hometown and the one where for so many years he scored goals with Tottenham until, tired of not winning titles, he left for Bayern. At 33 years old, Kane received the award at the gala held at the London Palladium in London, finishing ahead of Kylian Mbappé, second, and ahead of Lamine Yamal, third. The blue and garnet player Rodri finished fourth and Lionel Messi, fifth. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia finished sixth, Dembélé in seventh position, Haaland in eighth, Olise in ninth and Fabián Ruiz in tenth.

From the young Lamine Yamal and Pedri González, main hopes of the Spanish team, to legendary veterans like Leo Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Luka Modrić, still references for Argentina, Portugal, and Croatia, respectively. Few World Cups in history have had such a wide spectrum in terms of the age of the stars who will be part of it. The World Cup starting this June 11 will be the longest to date (48 teams), and also one of the most fiercely contested. Will the albiceleste" repeat the ecstasy of 2022? Will France be as superior as its starting lineup suggests? Will Brazil once again be a feared opponent by everyone? What will be the surprise team? All these predictions will depend on the role of the ten essential footballers in a tournament that will shake the planet for five exciting weeks.