Ballon d’Or win could persuade Harry Kane to stay at Bayern Munich, says Matthaeus

Winning the Ballon d’Or could encourage Harry Kane to extend his contract with Bayern Munich, according to former Germany captain and World Cup winner Lothar Matthaeus.

Kane became the first Englishman since Michael Owen in 2001 to receive football’s most prestigious individual award on Monday.

The England captain enjoyed a prolific campaign for Bayern last season, scoring 61 goals in 51 appearances in all competitions as the club secured a domestic league and cup double. He also helped England reach the World Cup semi-finals, scoring six goals during the tournament.

Matthaeus, who won the Ballon d’Or in 1990 after leading Germany to World Cup victory that year, believes Kane’s success strengthens the relationship between the striker and the German champions.

“We are very happy to have Harry Kane in the Bundesliga. He is an international ambassador of football,” Matthaeus said during an online media round table.

“Maybe he was dreaming of winning the Ballon d’Or, but you have to play in a big club like Bayern. He found his peace in Munich and the right club with the right teammates.”

Kane joined Bayern in 2023 in a €100m transfer from his boyhood club Tottenham Hotspur. He moved to Germany in search of silverware and has since won the league twice.

The 33-year-old is currently in discussions with Bayern over a new contract. Matthaeus suggested the award could play a part in helping the club retain him, although he said Kane’s decision would not be based solely on financial considerations.

“I think he gets a bonus [for winning the Ballon d’Or], 36 years ago I got nothing,” Matthaeus said.

“But it is about more than money. It is a good moment to sign [a new deal] for Bayern. Bayern helped him get this Ballon d’Or.

“The relationship between Harry Kane and Bayern Munich is perfect and with everything that has happened in the last three years, I think Harry will sign his contract for the next two, three years.”

Bayern are top of the Bundesliga standings and face Magdeburg in the second round of the German Cup on Wednesday.