“Most Deserving”: Matthäus Calls for Ballon d’Or for Kane | OneFootball

Harry Kane is among the top contenders for the Ballon d’Or. Lothar Matthäus is even making a bold prediction, placing the Bayern star ahead of his high-profile competitors.

After an outstanding season with FC Bayern, Harry Kane could also receive the ultimate individual accolade. The 33-year-old is among the contenders for the Ballon d’Or. For Lothar Matthäus, there is even a clear favorite when it comes to who will win.

In his column for Sky, the German record-holder for international caps spoke out clearly in favor of Kane. “For me, Kane is THE frontrunner for the Ballon d’Or,” Matthäus made clear.

For the 65-year-old, it’s crucial not to base the evaluation solely on individual tournaments or titles. “I evaluate an entire year, not just one game or one World Cup,” Matthäus explained.

That’s exactly why he sees Kane as having the edge over some of his most prominent competitors.

Matthäus ranks Kane ahead of Yamal, Messi, and Mbappé

Several FC Barcelona players won both the Spanish league title and the World Cup with their national teams. However, Matthäus did not identify any one player who stood out above the rest. His verdict on Lamine Yamal, in particular, is unequivocal: “As for Lamine Yamal, I say no!”

Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, and Jude Bellingham also fail to deliver the more convincing overall package in Matthäus’s view. Although Messi won the MLS title with Inter Miami and scored eight goals at the World Cup, the 1990 World Cup champion believes he plays in a weaker league than the top European stars. Mbappé reached the World Cup semifinals with France but failed to win a title with Real Madrid. The same goes for Bellingham.

Kane’s track record is significantly more successful. The striker won domestic titles with FC Bayern and, in Matthäus’s view, impressed above all with his exceptional consistency. The former Bayern captain sees only the fact that he missed the finals at the World Cup and in the Champions League as a minor blemish.

Photo: IMAGO

“Otherwise, he’s put in outstanding performances and, in my opinion, hasn’t had a single weak spell,” Matthäus raved. He also highlighted Kane’s demeanor off the field. The Englishman, along with Rodri, is among the professionals who draw attention primarily through their performances on the field.

His conclusion is therefore clear: “For me, Kane is the player who deserves the Ballon d’Or the most.”

Kane himself had recently been much more reserved when discussing his chances: “I’m very proud of the season I’ve had. From an individual standpoint, the Ballon d’Or is the greatest award you can win. The Ballon d’Or isn’t in my hands. I’ve done everything I could in terms of my performance. Of course, it would be fantastic if it worked out,” the Bayern striker explained at the Allianz Team Day.

Even before the Ballon d’Or decision is made, Kane has another personal honor coming his way. On Wednesday, the forward will be presented with the Golden Shoe as Europe’s top scorer at the FC Bayern Museum in the Allianz Arena.