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Kane would swap Ballon d’Or for Champions League victory
Harry Kane says he would give up his Ballon d’Or award to win the Champions League with Bayern Munich, putting team success ahead of individual recognition. The England captain spoke before Bayern’s match against Atletico Madrid, describing a European title with his team-mates as an outstanding career moment.
Kane became the first English Ballon d’Or winner since 2001 and only the fifth overall, after scoring 73 goals for club and country last season as Bayern won a domestic treble. He joined Bayern from Tottenham for £86.4m in August 2023 and says he is close to signing a new contract, with final details still being settled. Bayern are also without head coach Vincent Kompany as he recovers after being taken to hospital following a collapse at training.
In short
- Kane says he would choose the Champions League over his Ballon d’Or.
- He scored 73 goals last season as Bayern won a domestic treble.
- A new Bayern contract is close, with details still being finalised.
Explained simply
The Ballon d’Or is an annual award for the world’s best footballer, while the Champions League is Europe’s leading club competition. Harry Kane is an England striker who joined German club Bayern Munich from Tottenham in 2023.
Kane has scored prolifically for club and country, and Bayern have won domestic trophies during his time there. The Champions League is a major prize that Bayern’s players and supporters regard as a central measure of success in European football.
Individual awards recognise a player’s achievements, while the Champions League is won by a team. The difference helps explain why a player might value a European title with team-mates above personal honours.