Declan Rice says Harry Kane is the ‘clear winner’ for Ballon d’Or

Declan Rice claimed that England teammate Harry Kane is the “clear winner” of this year’s Ballon d’Or award.

Speaking to TNT Sports after Arsenal’s 2-2 draw with Kane’s Bayern Munich last night, Rice praised his international team-mate, who is among the favourites to win the award given to the best player in Europe over the past year.

“For me, he’s the clear winner,” Rice said. “I think his numbers speak for themselves. The year he’s had has been remarkable.

“He’s obviously up against some other world-class players, but when you play with him, you realise how good he is.”

Both Englishmen were on the scoresheet on Wednesday night. Eberechi Eze put Arsenal ahead after 25 minutes, but Bayern were level ten minutes later as Alphonso Davies finished from a sumptuous Kane pass.

The striker scored from the spot just after the hour mark, but Rice levelled the tie on 82 minutes.

Rice added: “When you play against him, you see how much of a pain it is.

“I mean, as a striker, to play that pass that he did for that goal and then obviously took the penalty how he did, it’s just, yeah, he’s ridiculous.

“He’s such a good player and I’m lucky I can play with him and not so lucky I have to play against him.”

Kane scored 73 goals in 65 matches last season to go along with eight assists. He has taken that same red-hot form into this season. In 15 games, he has recorded 16 goals and eight assists for club & country.

He is the favourite for the award ahead of Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappe but will have to wait until Monday’s ceremony in London to find out if he is to become the first Englishman since Michael Owen in 2001 to be honoured with the award.