Union Berlin suffered a crushing 7-0 defeat to Bayern Munich, with Harry Kane scoring twice and Michael Olise netting a hat-trick. The loss was significant not only for the scoreline but also for Union Berlin's post-match comments. The German club took to social media to mock Lamine Yamal, a Barcelona star and fellow Ballon d'Or nominee, suggesting his recent comments about the award had motivated Kane and Olise.
Lamine Yamal had questioned the importance of scoring a high number of goals in determining the Ballon d'Or winner. In an interview with Movistar Plus, he stated that the award should go to the best player in the world, not just the top scorer. Although Yamal did not mention Kane specifically, his 73 goals in the 2025/26 season have strengthened his case for the Ballon d'Or. Union Berlin's comments implied that Yamal's remarks had galvanized Kane and Olise to perform exceptionally well.
Union Berlin's social media post, written in German, jokingly suggested that Yamal could have kept quiet, as Kane and Olise were proving themselves to be Ballon d'Or material. The post read: "Couldn’t this 19-year-old rascal from Barcelona have just kept his mouth shut? Kane and Olise are properly on fire today and proving that they’re Ballon d'Or material." Bayern Munich also responded, with sporting director Max Eberl praising Olise's performance.
Max Eberl, Bayern's sporting director, responded to the Ballon d'Or debate after the match. He stated that the best players do not need a promotional campaign, adding that Michael Olise is also a candidate for the Ballon d'Or. Eberl described Olise as one of the best players in the world. His comments were reported by Spanish newspaper AS.
The 2026 Ballon d'Or ceremony is set to take place on October 26 at the London Palladium. Lamine Yamal, Harry Kane, and Michael Olise are among the nominees, alongside other prominent players such as Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, Lionel Messi, and Vinícius Júnior. The award will recognize the outstanding achievements of these players in the 2025/26 season.
Harry Kane's performance against Union Berlin was particularly notable, as he scored his second goal in the 54th minute, which also marked his 100th Bundesliga goal. He achieved this milestone in just 98 appearances, making him the fastest player to reach it in the competition's history. Kane's 61 goals for Bayern and 12 for England have strengthened his case for the Ballon d'Or.
Michael Olise's hat-trick against Union Berlin further solidified his reputation as a top player. His goals in the 43rd minute and two more in the second half showcased his skill and contributed significantly to Bayern's dominant performance. The win and Olise's performance have boosted his chances of winning the Ballon d'Or, with many considering him a strong contender.
Key points
- Union Berlin mocked Lamine Yamal on social media after their 7-0 defeat to Bayern Munich.
- Lamine Yamal had questioned the importance of goal-scoring in determining the Ballon d'Or winner.
- Harry Kane and Michael Olise performed exceptionally well in the match, with Kane scoring twice and Olise netting a hat-trick.
