RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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DORTMUND, GERMANY - AUGUST 22: Harry Kane of FC Bayern Muenchen looks on during the Franz Beckenbauer Supercup match between Borussia Dortmund and FC Bayern München at Signal Iduna Park on August 22, 2026 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Marvin Ibo Guengoer - GES Sportfoto/Getty Images) | Getty Images
After the season he had with Bayern Munich in 2025/26, it’s no real shocker that Harry Kane is one of the top contenders to win the Ballon d’Or this October in London. He’s one of the odds-on favorites to get the nod this time around alongside Real Madrid and France’s Kylian Mbappé, Barcelona and Spain’s Lamine Yamal, and Manchester City and Norway’s Erling Haaland.
Despite England not winning the World Cup, it’s quite hard to argue against Kane getting the honor this year with his 61 goals from 51 appearances across all competitions for Bayern last season on his way to getting the European Golden Shoe along with being named Germany’s Player of the Year. Not to mention, Kane netted six goals and 1 assist for England at the World Cup in the United States, 5 goals from their 2026 World Cup qualifiers, and one goal from friendlies this past year. For the Three Lions , he scored a goal for every 98 minutes and provided a goal or assist per every 90 minutes — he’s just as lethal for his country as he is for his club.
Bayern front office and board members have been making a push for Kane to win the Ballon d’Or with some of the things they’ve publicly said to try to urge France Football to make the right decision.
“I think he deserves to win the Ballon d’Or. He played an outstanding season. It means a lot also for Bayern Munich – when you have one of the best players in the world playing in your team. We will see what’s coming, but in the end it would be a great thing for everybody,” sporting director Christoph Freund recently stressed (via @iMiaSanMia ).
Bayern chief marketing office Rouven Kasper added, “it can only be Harry Kane. We can just give it to Harry. 73 goals in 64 games. We think there is no way around him this year. When you just focus on statistics, there cannot be anybody else. It does not matter if somebody from Real Madrid wants their player to be there.”
Of course, France Football has made a habit of doling out Ballon d’Or’s based on popularity more than actual stats, but Bayern will be hoping for a different outcome this time. Robert Lewandowski getting snubbed in 2020 and 2021 and then getting a first of its kind Gerd Müller, Striker of the Year Award to act as an alternative to the Ballon d’Or itself left a stain on the awards credibility at the time. France Football’s decision to scrap the 2020 honor altogether on the premise of Ligue 1 not being able to properly finish their season was a rather weak excuse when Lewandowksi was the clear favorite to win anyway.
With the heavy backing from the club, Kane is highly appreciative of the support he’s getting and he knows how much they’ve looked after him since making his blockbuster move from Tottenham in 2023. “I feel the love from this club, I know how much they appreciate me. Not just my goals but I think my all-round game and also me as a person in the changing room as well, the whole package. I feel very privileged and also with the fans, the way they have taken to me in these few years has been really special. My aim is to repay them with some goals and some trophies,” Kane enthused via Sky Sports reporter Adam Bate (as per @iMiaSanMia ).
The striker has said he’s proud of everything he’s already achieved at Bayern regardless of whether or not he wins the Ballon d’Or in October, but it’s certainly an honor he cannot resist. “I’m very proud of the season I played. The Ballon d’Or is, from an individual point of view, the biggest award you can get. The Ballon d’Or isn’t in my hands. I’ve done what I could in terms of performing. Of course, it would be fantastic if it happens. But ultimately, there’s still 2-3 months until a decision is made. I’m extremely proud of what I’ve achieved with this team and also with the national team. For me, it’s now about concentrating on this season. We have big ambitions and big goals,” he had riffed .
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