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Bayern Munich star Harry Kane believes he will be a serious contender for the Ballon d’Or if he leads England to World Cup glory.
After a spectacular season in which he scored 61 goals in all competitions, the prolific striker is fully confident that winning the ultimate international trophy will cement his claim to the sport’s top individual prize.
Kane reflects on spectacular individual campaign
Kane had arguably the greatest campaign of his entire career as he approached his 33rd birthday.
The prolific striker finished as the Bundesliga’s top scorer with 36 goals in just 31 matches. Additionally, he successfully won the European Golden Boot for the second time in three years and won three collective trophies.
Bayern Munich have undoubtedly benefited from their incredible performance this season.
Speaking in a recent interview with L’Equipe, the striker explained that these exceptional feats naturally led him to dream of winning the Ballon d’Or, which will be awarded on October 26 in London.
World Cup success is the ultimate requirement
Despite his remarkable domestic statistics, the Three Lions captain knows that winning the World Cup is almost definitely necessary to achieve the highest individual honour. It is crucial to perform well on the international stage.
“I would definitely be one of the favorites,” Kane explained. He added: “Considering the trophies I have won this season and the number of goals I have scored, I would be in contention.
“Especially since if England won the World Cup, one could imagine that the trophy would go to an English player.” This honest assessment highlights his clear understanding that club form alone might not be enough.
Fierce competition for the prestigious individual prize
The 32-year-old is completely realistic about the fierce competition that awaits him for the Ballon d’Or. He knows several outstanding players have also claimed the award following brilliant campaigns.
“When we look at who are the current favorites to win the Ballon d’Or, there is Michael (Olise), the Champions League finalists and me,” he said.
The battle promises to be extremely close, especially since players like Ousmane Dembélé, 29, certainly have no intention of ceding the title without a serious fight. The presence of such talented rivals means that the outcome of the tournament will be decisive.
What’s next for the England captain
Having already completed a brilliant domestic treble, Kane must now focus on his international duty. England will finalize their preparations with friendlies against New Zealand on June 6 and Costa Rica on June 10.
Next, the national team will begin their World Cup Group L campaign against Croatia on June 17, Ghana on June 23 and Panama on June 27. Guiding his country through these tests to global glory could land its ultimate prize.
FIFA World Cup 2026: how to watch
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026. Spread across three countries, the tournament will culminate with the final on July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. All 104 tournament games will be broadcast live on FOX (70) and FS1 (34), with each game streamed live and on-demand in the FOX One and FOX Sports apps. A record 40 games, more than a third of the tournament, will be broadcast in prime time on FOX (21) and FS1 (19).
The June 11 opening match between Mexico and South Africa (3 p.m. ET) will be streamed for free on Tubi, along with the United States’ opening match against Paraguay on June 12 (9 p.m. ET).
