Anthony Gordon backs Harry Kane and Lamine Yamal in Ballon d’Or debate

Anthony Gordon has refused to choose between England team-mate Harry Kane and Barcelona colleague Lamine Yamal for this year’s Ballon d’Or.

The award, presented by French magazine France Football, is due to be handed out on 26 October.

Gordon plays alongside Kane internationally and became Yamal’s team-mate at Barcelona after moving from Newcastle during the summer transfer window.

Asked to select one of the two players ahead of England’s meeting with Spain, Gordon said: “For me, the award should go to either of them, considering what they have achieved.”

The match between England and Spain takes place at Wembley on Saturday in the opening round of the UEFA Nations League.

Speaking to talkSPORT, Gordon highlighted Yamal’s performances despite his young age.

“What Lamine has achieved at such a young age, and the type of player he has become, is amazing,” he said. “He is on another level entirely at the moment.”

Yamal is 19 and Gordon said his performances were “crazy” for a player of that age.

However, he also argued that Kane had an equally strong claim when the award is judged on last season.

“If we are talking about last season, then Harry has as strong a case as anyone else because his season was historic,” Gordon said.

“The number of goals he scored and what he gave us during the World Cup… both of them have extremely strong reasons. So I wish them both the best of luck.”

Yamal has suggested he deserves the prestigious award, while Kane has declined to place himself above the other nominees and said the decision should be left to the voters.

Gordon’s comments came before the meeting between England and Spain, where he will face Yamal as an international opponent after becoming the Barcelona winger’s club team-mate.