Harry Kane is the frontrunner for the Ballon d'Or. Over the past week, through conversations with several key figures at Bayern Munich and Kane himself, it has become abundantly clear that winning this award is just as important to the German club as it is to Kane personally.
Ahead of Bayern's Supercup clash against Borussia Dortmund, sporting director Christoph Freund was unequivocal when addressing the topic: “I think he deserves to win the Ballon d'Or. He had an outstanding season.”
When the same question was put to Bayern Executive Board member Rouven Kasper, he went a step further: "It can only be him, Harry Kane. We can just hand him the award directly." Bayern are pushing with all their might for this Ballon d'Or—and with a new contract on the table, they want the outside world to see their unwavering resolve.
Asked after the match in Dortmund, Kane felt it too. “I feel the love from this club, and I know how much they appreciate me. Not just for my goals, but for my overall performance and as a complete person in the dressing room.”
Kane has never finished higher than 10th in the Ballon d'Or voting, but this represents his best chance. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was the standout performer in the Champions League but missed the World Cup. Lamine Yamal lifted the World Cup trophy but had an average campaign during the tournament.
With no clear-cut standout candidate, and having won the domestic double with Bayern last season, pure statistical dominance could work in Kane's favor. In winning the European Golden Shoe, he finished comfortably ahead of rivals Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappé.
Kasper had all the numbers at his fingertips: "73 goals in 64 games. A hat-trick in the cup final." Kane required just 78 matches to score 100 Bundesliga goals: "The fastest in top-five European league history." He also scored 6 goals for England at the World Cup.
"We believe no one can match him this year. When you look purely at the numbers, it can't be anyone else. Even if people at Real Madrid want their player to win it, that won't change anything." This was a subtle nod to Real Madrid's longstanding emphasis on the prestigious accolade.
The Santiago Bernabéu museum displays replicas of the Ballon d'Or trophies won by their players, and it is well known that Real Madrid chose not to attend the ceremony when Vinícius Júnior lost out to Rodri. Being the club of world football's most celebrated individual is woven into Real Madrid's identity.
By contrast, the last time a Bayern player won the Ballon d'Or was 45 years ago in the era of Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. No Bayern player has claimed the prize since. Robert Lewandowski missed out in 2020 when the award was cancelled due to the pandemic. Is the Ballon d'Or trivial in Bayern's eyes? Thinking so would be a mistake.
That is because inside the club, it is viewed very differently. "This means a great deal to Bayern Munich as well," Freund said, “when you have one of the best players in the world in your team. We will wait and see, but ultimately, it would be a fantastic thing for everyone.”
Although Bayern claim they have surpassed Real Madrid as Europe's most successful club based on UEFA coefficient points over the past decade, that speaks to consistency rather than individual glory. Similarly, the team has often been viewed as prioritizing the collective over the individual. Bayern's current goal is to reshape that perception, positioning themselves as a club where great players can also win great individual honors.
"Perhaps over the past few decades, we did not have that one standout individual," Kasper acknowledged. Now they might. And that means "from a brand perspective, Bayern can occupy a different position in European football"—the home of the best player.
He explained: “Being the club of a Ballon d'Or winner holds value beyond statistics. Having such a player is a tremendous honor for the club. It will certainly boost our global reach, and it sends a powerful signal to everyone else.”
Thus, both Kane and Bayern have strong motivations to capture the award. This is not to portray Kane as opportunistic. Win or lose, he has always remained approachable and cordial with the media. However, he also realizes the need to 'play the game'—after all, the Ballon d'Or is voted on by international journalists.
Late on Saturday night, he patiently stayed behind to answer questions. A Mexican journalist wanted to discuss that World Cup match: "Many thanks to the Mexican fans." Another reporter sought his thoughts on his massive Indian audience, to which Kane responded: “I appreciate all their support.”
In a sense, this is classic Kane. He is diligent and conscientious, striving for success in every aspect of life. This occasion is no exception. "I feel very privileged; the way the fans have embraced me over these past few years has been truly special. My goal is to repay them with goals and trophies." Now, everyone at Bayern is going all out to repay him with a trophy of his very own.
