Harry Kane has played down his Ballon d’Or chances despite scoring 73 goals for Bayern Munich and England last season. Here’s what the striker said.
Harry Kane has every reason to believe he belongs in the Ballon d’Or conversation, but the Bayern Munich striker is refusing to get carried away with it. After producing the best scoring season of his career, Kane has left the final decision to the voters and is instead focused on what comes next.
The England captain scored 73 goals for Bayern Munich and England during the 2025/26 season, describing it as the best campaign of his career. He is now one of the 30 nominees for the 2026 Ballon d’Or, with the winner set to be announced in London on October 26.
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Why Is Kane Not Thinking About the Ballon d’Or?
Kane’s response to the Ballon d’Or discussion has been remarkably straightforward. Speaking to Marca, he said he has never liked talking too much about himself and stressed that the award is ultimately decided by the voters.
The 73 goals are something Kane is proud of, but he does not believe his numbers alone determine who wins the award. Instead, he has already moved on from the 2025/26 campaign. “For me, last season is already in the past,” Kane said, explaining that his attention is now on the current season and what he can achieve with Bayern. That approach is particularly notable because Kane’s numbers put him firmly among the leading names in this year’s discussion. His 73 goals across club and country included 36 Bundesliga goals, six at the World Cup, and a third consecutive Bundesliga scoring title.
How Strong Is Kane’s Ballon d’Or Case?
There is plenty behind Kane’s nomination. His 2025/26 season combined individual scoring with major team success at Bayern, while his performances for England also carried into the World Cup. Kane scored six goals during England’s run to a third-place finish at the World Cup. He also finished as the Bundesliga’s leading scorer for a third straight season and helped Bayern collect domestic silverware.
His club form has continued into the new campaign as well. On September 18, Kane scored twice in Bayern’s 7-0 victory over Union Berlin, reaching 100 Bundesliga goals in just 98 appearances and becoming the fastest player to reach that milestone in the competition. Those achievements explain why Kane remains such a prominent name in the Ballon d’Or conversation, even though the striker himself is refusing to campaign for the prize.
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Who Are Kane’s Main Rivals?
Kane is part of a particularly strong 2026 shortlist. Lamine Yamal, Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi, and reigning winner Ousmane Dembele are among the other major names in contention. The World Cup also played a significant role in shaping this year’s race because the voting period included the tournament. For Kane, however, the numbers and the debate can wait. The award ceremony is still more than a month away, while Bayern’s season has already moved forward.
The Englishman knows there is little he can do about the final vote now. His job is simply to keep scoring, keep winning, and let the voters decide what his extraordinary 2025/26 season was worth. Could Harry Kane become the first Englishman since Michael Owen in 2001 to win the Ballon d’Or?
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