Harry Kane: Even a Goal-Filled Season Might Not Be Enough for the Ballon d’Or
Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane has revealed that scoring goals alone may not be enough to secure football’s most prestigious individual accolade, the Ballon d’Or.
In a recent interview with the UK Mirror, the England captain emphasized the importance of winning major tournaments, highlighting the Champions League and the World Cup as key factors in the award race.
“I could score 100 goals this season, but if I don’t lift the Champions League or the World Cup, chances are you’re not going to win the Ballon d’Or,” Kane said. “It doesn’t matter if it’s Haaland or any other player—you need those major trophies.”
The 32-year-old striker has started the season in phenomenal form, netting 13 goals in the Bundesliga and five in the Champions League, establishing himself as one of Europe’s most lethal forwards.
Despite his personal achievements, Kane knows that team success often drives individual recognition. Last season, he scored 44 goals in 45 appearances for Bayern Munich and helped England reach the Euro 2024 final, yet he finished 13th in the Ballon d’Or voting.
Looking ahead, Kane is optimistic about both Bayern Munich’s European ambitions and England’s chances at the 2026 World Cup.
“With the way things are going for Bayern this season, we’re in great shape. I think we’re definitely among the favourites for the Champions League. And with England, I believe we’ll go into the World Cup as one of the favourites as well,” he added.
A World Cup victory next summer could be Kane’s breakthrough in the Ballon d’Or race, much like Rodri did after Spain’s Euro 2024 triumph. Coupled with continued goal-scoring and a potential Champions League win, Kane could finally transform personal excellence into football’s ultimate individual prize.
