CORNERFLICK
Lothar Matthäus has backed Harry Kane to win the 2026 Ballon d’Or, saying the Bayern Munich striker is his clear choice after a standout 2025-26 campaign.
Kane leads Matthäus’s shortlist
Matthäus, the 1990 Ballon d’Or winner, placed Kane ahead of Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappé in his assessment of the race. He said Yamal had a strong season with Barcelona and Spain, but not enough to make him the main contender in his view.
Matthäus also rated Mbappé highly on an individual level, pointing to his goals for Real Madrid and France, but said the absence of major team honours could count against him.
Bayern and England success
Kane’s season has put him near the top of several Ballon d’Or prediction lists. Reports have said he scored 73 goals across Bayern and England in 2025-26, while the Guardian placed him top of its own contenders and cited 61 goals in 51 games for Bayern.
Kane won two domestic titles with Bayern and helped them reach the Champions League semi-finals. England also made a strong run at the World Cup, although they did not reach the final.
The 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony is due in London on 26 October.