England and Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane has expressed confidence that he is among the frontrunners for the prestigious Ballon d'Or award this year, citing his remarkable achievements and performances throughout the season.
A Stellar Season with Bayern Munich
Kane enjoyed an outstanding campaign with Bayern Munich, securing both the Bundesliga and German Cup titles. He netted a hat-trick in the German Cup final, adding to his impressive tally. Additionally, he helped his team reach the semifinals of the UEFA Champions League. With a total of 61 goals scored during the season, he also claimed the European Golden Shoe.
Kane's Thoughts on the Ballon d'Or
In an interview with L'Equipe, as quoted by Goal.com, Kane stated, "Given the trophies I have won this season and the goals I have scored, I would be in the running." He also highlighted the potential impact of the FIFA World Cup, saying, "Especially if England were to win the World Cup in the USA, Mexico and Canada, you could imagine the trophy going to an English player."
Kane named Michael Olise, the Champions League finalists, and himself as the main contenders before the World Cup. However, he emphasized, "I am not the type to claim I deserve a Ballon d'Or; I let my performances on the pitch do the talking."
Ballon d'Or Ceremony in London
The Ballon d'Or will be awarded on September 26 in London. Kane, who is from London, described the venue as a "good omen" and said, "Winning in my home town would be even more special."
Joining the Elite Club of 60-Goal Scorers
Reflecting on his 61-goal season, Kane acknowledged the elite company he now keeps. "That is a pretty crazy tally. Once you hit 60 goals, you are in the same stratosphere as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Their numbers once felt out of reach to me," he said.
Support for Thomas Tuchel
Kane also voiced his support for England manager Thomas Tuchel, who previously coached him at Bayern Munich. Tuchel has faced media criticism for omitting several star players, including Cole Palmer and Harry Maguire, from his squad. Kane said, "The ambition is, of course, to win. That has to be our goal. We know it will be difficult, but we have come close in recent years. At Bayern, I loved his personality, his ideas for the team and the way he got me playing. In a way, he has transferred his methods to the national team."
Kane concluded with optimism about England's chances in the upcoming World Cup, expressing faith in Tuchel's leadership.
