Harry Kane plays down ‘best in the world’ status after Ballon d’Or triumph

Harry Kane says winning the Ballon d’Or has not changed his approach, despite Bayern Munich helping turn his ambition of claiming the award into a realistic target.

The Bayern Munich striker told France Football, the magazine responsible for presenting the prize, that he had believed the award was within reach from the moment he joined the German club.

“I knew that joining Bayern Munich would give me the opportunity to develop and take my game to another level,” Kane said.

“The goals I scored and the progress we made in the competitions made me realise that, if I could maintain my consistency, continue improving, become a better player and score more goals, the Ballon d’Or could become a realistic objective.”

Kane scored 73 goals in one season and helped Bayern win three trophies in Germany. He also finished third at the World Cup with England.

“Scoring 73 goals in one season is simply extraordinary,” he said. “Winning the three trophies here in Germany and finishing third at the World Cup… I know England did not win the tournament, but reaching that stage remains a great achievement.”

Bayern also came close to reaching the Champions League final, another factor Kane believes strengthened his claim to be among the leading candidates for the award.

“We were also very close to reaching the Champions League final,” he added. “All of those things helped make the season exceptional. After that, I realised that being among the Ballon d’Or contenders was a genuine possibility.”

Kane rejects individual label

Asked whether he now considered himself the best player in the world following his Ballon d’Or success, Kane gave a qualified response.

“Yes and no,” he said. “Yes, because I was voted the Ballon d’Or winner, but it is a very subjective matter. There are so many great players.”

The former Tottenham player said each member of the top 10 in the 2026 Ballon d’Or rankings could be regarded as the world’s best at some point during the season.

“At some stage of the season, every player in the top 10 of the 2026 Ballon d’Or rankings will be viewed as the best player in the world,” Kane said.

“I do not like to think in those terms because, ultimately, you find yourself living in the past, looking back and reflecting on what you achieved the previous year.”

Kane said his attention had already shifted towards improving on his latest campaign rather than dwelling on the award.

“I already say to myself: ‘OK, last season was brilliant, but can I do even better this season?’” he added.

“From other people’s perspective, I am currently the best player in the world, but I do not think about it in that way very often. I simply move on to what is waiting for me next.”