Harry Kane has played down his Ballon d’Or hopes despite scoring 73 goals for Bayern Munich and England during the 2025-26 season, which he described as the best campaign of his life.
The England striker could become the country’s first winner of football’s most prestigious individual award since Michael Owen in 2001. However, Kane said his attention was now firmly on achieving further success with Bayern rather than securing personal recognition.
“I’ve never liked talking too much about myself. The only thing I’d say is that last season was incredible, both personally and for the team,” Kane told Spanish outlet Marca in an interview published on Friday.
“It was, by far, the best season of my life.”
Kane’s 73-goal haul was the highest since Lionel Messi scored 82 in the 2011-12 season. The Bayern forward said he was proud of his achievement but accepted that the award would ultimately be decided by the voters, with Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappe also in contention.
“I’m extremely proud of that … but the Ballon d’Or isn’t in my hands. It depends on the people who vote. As far as I’m concerned, last season is in the past,” he said.
“Now I’m focused on this one and I’m looking forward to seeing what else I can achieve.”
The winner will be announced at the official awards ceremony on October 26.
