Harry Kane believes he has the strongest opportunity of his career to win the Ballon d’Or after a remarkable campaign with Bayern Munich and England.
The England captain is among the leading contenders for the prestigious individual award, with Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal and Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe also in the running.
Kane scored 65 goals across all competitions for Bayern before adding six more for England at the World Cup, helping Thomas Tuchel’s side finish third at the tournament.
No other player from Europe’s top five leagues scored more than 50 goals in all competitions last season, with Mbappe closest to Kane after registering 50 for Real Madrid.
Kane is aiming to become only the fifth Englishman to win the Ballon d’Or and the first since Michael Owen claimed the award in 2001. Stanley Matthews won it in 1956, Bobby Charlton in 1966, while Kevin Keegan lifted it in 1978 and 1979.
Speaking ahead of England’s Nations League opener against Spain, Kane said he believed he had done everything possible to strengthen his case for the award.
“Best chance right now, yeah, whether that’s in the future as well. We’ll have to wait and see, but I think yes, so far in my career, it is the best chance without a doubt,” Kane said.
“I think I spoke quite openly last season from a personal point of view.
“It was my best year without a doubt, but also, from a team point of you was my best in terms of trophies and performances. It’s something that would be amazing to win.
“I know there’s been a lot of talk about it, and I’m sure it will be over the next month until it’s announced and that’s part and parcel of it.
“I’d be extremely proud to win it. I think I’ve done a lot of great things that I’m proud of last year for sure.
“But like I keep saying, ultimately, it’s down to other people now and their opinion on it. The players and their opinion on last season, so we’ll have to wait and see what happens.
“I know it won’t be the last time I talk about it, but yeah, there’s still another month or so to go. My focus is on trying to help this team get a good win against Spain.”
Kane will have another opportunity to strengthen his case when England face Spain, who are unbeaten in their last 38 matches across all competitions, recording 29 wins and nine draws. It is the longest unbeaten run ever recorded by a European nation following their World Cup triumph.
England, meanwhile, have won only two of their last 13 meetings with the reigning world champions, suffering nine defeats and recording two draws.
Jude Bellingham will also be looking to make an impression against Spain. The Real Madrid midfielder has scored seven goals in 10 appearances for England in 2026.
The last England midfielder to score more goals in a calendar year was David Platt, who netted eight in 1993.
Bellingham’s performances for the national team have also earned recognition, with the midfielder winning the England Men’s Player of the Year award for a second consecutive year.
Only Wayne Rooney, with four wins, has claimed the award more times than Bellingham, who is level on two with Kane, Bukayo Saka, Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard.
