Harry Kane Outlines What He Must Do To Finally Win The Ballon dOr

Harry Kane believes only two achievements can put him in genuine contention for the Ballon d’Or. The England and Bayern Munich striker, who has 480 career goals and 76 for England, explained that even scoring 100 goals in a season is not enough without winning either the World Cup or the Champions League. Kane has already scored 23 goals this season for Bayern.

When the conversation around the Ballon dOr intensifies ahead of the 2026 World Cup, Harry Kane has openly outlined the two things he believes are essential to finally winning the award. Despite scoring 480 career goals for club and country and becoming England's all time top scorer with 76 goals, the Bayern Munich forward has never finished in the top three for the Ballon dOr. Speaking before England's final World Cup qualifier against Albania, Kane stressed that individual brilliance alone is not enough. 

He admitted that even scoring 100 goals in a season would not secure the honour unless it is paired with winning either the Champions League or the World Cup. Kane pointed out that recent Ballon dOr winners have almost always lifted one of those major trophies, referencing how the World Cup helped Lionel Messi claim the 2023 award. With Bayern unbeaten in 17 matches this season and viewed as one of the favourites for the Champions League, Kane believes the odds are shifting in his favour. 

He has already scored 23 goals for Bayern this campaign and has even adapted to an advanced midfield role at times. With England also expected to enter the 2026 World Cup as strong contenders, Kane feels this combination of form and team success could finally put him in genuine contention for the prestigious award.