Harry Kane remains in 2026 Ballon d’Or contention after 73-goal season
Harry Kane’s 2026 Ballon d’Or bid remains alive despite Bayern Munich and England both falling in the semi-finals of the Champions League and World Cup.
The Bayern striker still finished the campaign with major honours, lifting the Bundesliga and German Cup, while his extraordinary return of 61 club goals plus 12 for England has kept him firmly in the Golden Ball conversation.
Quick facts
- Kane scored 73 times for club and country last season.
- Bayern won the Bundesliga and German Cup with Kane in their side.
- England’s captain missed out on World Cup glory after a semi-final defeat.
- Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice are both among the latest Ballon d’Or nominees.
- Michael Owen, winner in 2001, remains the most recent English Ballon d’Or recipient.
Kane is attempting to end a 25-year wait for an English winner of football’s biggest individual award. Owen, who won it in 2001 after spells with Liverpool, Real Madrid and Manchester United, was the fourth Englishman to take the prize.
The former England forward believes individual brilliance alone will not settle the vote. He said a candidate must combine elite displays with an elite team and the trophies that come with it.
Owen pointed to Kylian Mbappe as an example of how exceptional scoring records can still carry weight even without a trophy haul. Mbappe’s leading-goalscorer finishes in the Champions League, La Liga and World Cup underline the level of individual achievement voters consider.
For Bellingham, Owen sees a potential route through Real Madrid success and a starring role for England at a major tournament. The midfielder has the profile, club platform and quality needed, but must be central to winning teams.
Rice is also viewed as a serious future challenger after another strong season for Arsenal. The Gunners midfielder has developed from a deeper role into a more attacking number eight, with his growing output and dead-ball delivery adding to his case.
Gareth Barry rated Rice as Europe’s most consistent midfielder, while also placing Kane among the leading English candidates. But he warned that goals and individual numbers will not be enough without medals.
Bellingham’s injury issues have hurt his immediate prospects, Barry said, although the Real Madrid player remains a major contender for future editions. Kane’s scoring volume, meanwhile, means his name cannot be ignored even after his European and international near-misses.
Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard won Premier League and Champions League trophies during their careers without claiming the Ballon d’Or. Kane, Rice and Bellingham now carry England’s strongest hopes of ensuring the next wait is far shorter than the last one.
