Philipp Lahm: Harry Kane would have preferred Champions League glory to Ballon d’Or

Philipp Lahm says Harry Kane would have valued winning the Champions League more highly than receiving the Ballon d’Or, despite acknowledging the importance of the England captain’s award to German football.

Kane’s success, achieved days ago, is particularly significant because it is the first time a player from the Bundesliga has won the prize, according to Lahm.

“It is very healthy for German football that someone from the Bundesliga has won the Ballon d’Or,” the former Bayern Munich and Germany player told Spanish newspaper Marca. “It is a great motivation for young players coming through.

“Germany has a unique situation because youth development and the professional game are closely connected. Every player begins their career at their local club and within their small community before turning professional.”

Asked whether Franck Ribery and Robert Lewandowski deserved the award during his playing career, Lahm said Kane would probably have prioritised team success.

“I think Kane would have preferred to win the Champions League rather than the Ballon d’Or,” he said. “Every player knows how important the team is in achieving success.

“I had the opportunity to win the Ballon d’Or, but for me it was not as important as the team because it is an individual award. It may be more important to attackers than defenders. I am sure Ribery is happy that Kane has won it, but he will remain angry that he did not win it himself.”

Lahm also discussed the significance of Der Klassiker before Bayern Munich host Borussia Dortmund at the Allianz Arena on Saturday, 31 October 2026.

He said the fixture had gained much of its status over the past three decades as Dortmund gradually narrowed the gap to Bayern.

“When I was playing, they won two league titles in a row,” Lahm said. “This time the match is between the team in first place and the team in second. That is why it is currently the best game to watch in Germany.”

The former Germany captain described France forward Michael Olise as an attacking “icon” and said the Bayern player had established himself as a potential Ballon d’Or contender.

“He is an excellent player and can create many solutions on the pitch, not only with Bayern but also with France in recent months,” Lahm said. “He is a candidate for the Ballon d’Or. It is possible to win it while playing for Bayern, and we have seen that this year.”

Lahm backed Jurgen Klopp’s early work as Germany manager, highlighting the experience the former club coach brings to the national team.

“With Jurgen Klopp, you have a national-team coach who brings enormous experience,” he said. “During the first international break, he wanted to look at a large number of players. We have to wait and see what November brings, but the important thing is that, as soon as he took charge, he clearly stated what he wanted to do and what he would bring.”

Lahm warned that Germany had lost some of its tactical identity compared with other football cultures since his retirement.

“Spain’s players receive highly specialised and precise training in the way they want to play,” he said. “In Germany, we have excellent infrastructure, money, full stadiums and talent, so we are in a good position. But the national team is not successful enough at the moment.

“We are overlooking the basic idea: how do we want to play football in Germany? How do I defend, move in midfield and compete in duels? I think we need more specialised players rather than relying on one player who can operate in four different positions.”

On the long-running debate in Argentina over Diego Armando Maradona and Lionel Messi, Lahm said both had been exceptional.

“Above all, they were both extraordinary players who raised competition to the highest level possible,” he said. “Their personalities were certainly completely different. In my era, Lionel Messi was the most important player for more than 15 years, alongside Cristiano Ronaldo.”