Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane has revealed his long-held ambition to win the Ballon d’Or, insisting he is a “credible candidate” for the prestigious award in 2025.
Despite cementing his reputation as one of the world’s greatest strikers and becoming the all-time top goalscorer for Tottenham Hotspur and the England national team, Kane has never won a single team trophy in his professional career.
Runners-up in the Premier League and the last two European Championships, Kane’s debut season at Bayern Munich coincided with the club’s first trophy-less season in more than a decade. The unfilled cupboard had little to do with Kane’s performances.
The England international scored 44 goals in 45 games for his new employer and ensured he shared the Gerd Muller Trophy with Kylian Mbappe at the 2024 Ballon d’Or awards in Paris.
“This trophy confirms my career choice of leaving my country for the first time at the age of 30,” Kane said recently L’Equipe in an exclusive interview. “And it allowed me, for the first time, to come to the Ballon d’Or ceremony at the Théâtre du Châtelet to attend the presentation of all these prestigious awards.
“I hope that I might come back to win an even more prestigious competition,” Kane added with a wink and a smile.
When asked if he had ever thought about the possibility of winning the Ballon d’Or, Bayern’s number nine replied emphatically. “Of course I’m thinking about it!” he explained. “And why don’t you say it, I believe it. I feel like my accomplishments make me a credible candidate.”
“I continue to make progress, I play in teams, whether Bayern or England, that are naturally contenders for big wins. Why couldn’t I believe in my chances, given my individual achievements and a big collective victory like the Champions League?”
Bayern have a good chance of winning this year’s Bundesliga and ending Kane’s long wait for a shared title. Although Bayern have not been as successful on the continent, they are expected to qualify for the knockout stages and remain one of the main contenders for the title.
“I’ve dreamed of the Ballon d’Or since I was little,” continued Kane, who wants to emulate Michael Owen’s achievement in 2001 as the last Englishman to win the award, “and even more so with Lionel Messi-Cristiano.” Ronaldo era that gave this generation even more shine.
“Who knows if we won’t see each other again for an interview in 2025?” Kane concluded with a laugh.