A curious mix-up occurred at the Ballon d’Or gala: An official video showed Michael Rummenigge instead of his older brother, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. The organizers have since apologized to the longtime Bayern boss for the mistake. He, however, took the mix-up in stride.
The mix-up occurred during the gala on Monday evening at London’s Palladium Theatre. In a video about the Ballon d’Or’s greatest winners, a scene from an FC Bayern match against Real Madrid in April 1987 was shown. The footage featured Michael Rummenigge—and not Karl-Heinz, who had won the award twice.
The former Bayern CEO apparently didn’t take the mistake personally. Speaking to BILD, Rummenigge said, “I just smiled. After all, the Ballon d’Or stayed in the family.”
He also accepted the organizers’ apology: “Of course I’m happy to accept the apology, but it really wasn’t necessary—mistakes happen from time to time in life.”
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge won the Ballon d’Or in 1980 and 1981. At that time, the trophy was still awarded as the prize for Europe’s Soccer Player of the Year. Until this year’s gala, he was the last Bayern player to have received the award. With Harry Kane, the coveted trophy has now gone to a Munich player again after 45 years.
Rummenigge Congratulates Kane on the Ballon d’Or
The supervisory board member of Germany’s record-holding champions expressed his delight at the English striker’s success. “Harry Kane is the absolutely deserving Ballon d’Or winner, and I’m truly happy for him,” said Rummenigge.
Not only because he had an outstanding season, but also because he embodies something that is becoming increasingly rare in sports and in our society: true role model status. The award is also a major success for FC Bayern: “Harry proves that even today, the path to the Ballon d’Or can still lead through FC Bayern and the Bundesliga,” the 71-year-old continued.
For Rummenigge , the gala thus brings together two special stories: an amusing mix-up with his brother and a historic success for his longtime club. While the organizers’ blunder was quickly put behind them , Kane’s award is likely to beremembered at FC Bayern for a long time to come .