Sports

More support for Bayern Munich star Harry Kane to win Ballon d’Or

Nairavoice · Sep 22, 2026 · 2 min read

Vladimír Šmicer has thrown his support behind Harry Kane in the Ballon d’Or race, arguing that the Bayern Munich striker deserves to be considered the favorite despite competition from Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappé.

Šmicer, the former Czech Republic international and Liverpool midfielder who famously scored in the 2005 Champions League final against AC Milan, believes Kane’s overall body of work makes him the most deserving candidate. He also pointed to Kane’s success in Germany and his continued excellence after leaving England.

“The Ballon d’Or is very open this year but I think Harry Kane should be the big favourite. Lamine Yamal will be there as well but he didn’t have a great World Cup. He was just very good for Barcelona but he’s been injured. A lot could depend on who is the best player in the next few months,” Smicer told Grosvenor Sport. “Kylian Mbappe is another favourite as well because he had a very good World Cup but he was average for Real Madrid in the first half of the year so I think, for all that he has done in his career, it should be Harry Kane.

“I would like to see him win the Ballon d’Or to go with his Golden Boot and the Bundesliga because why not? He’s been brilliant in Germany, and he was brilliant in England before that as well.”

The argument reflects a broader discussion surrounding this year’s award. Kane has already received significant backing from figures around Bayern Munich, while other contenders such as Yamal and Mbappé have their own cases based on their club and international performances.

For Kane, however, the prize would represent something more than another individual honor. After years of elite production without winning the Ballon d’Or, lifting the trophy would add another major individual achievement to a career that has already included the Golden Boot and Bundesliga title.