In a bold prediction that has stirred debate among football enthusiasts, former Ballon d’Or winner Lothar Matthaus has tipped Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane as his favourite to claim the prestigious individual award in 2026. As reported by GiveMeSport, Matthaus, who captained West Germany to World Cup glory and won the Ballon d’Or himself in 1990, notably overlooked perennial contenders like Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe, alongside rising stars Lamine Yamal and Rodri.
Matthaus’s reasoning for backing the England captain hinges on a combination of Kane’s extraordinary individual output and his team’s collective success. According to GiveMeSport, Matthaus explained on his talk show “Lothar legt los” that Kane’s overall achievements give him the edge over his rivals.
“Everyone has won something. But in the end, if you add up the overall successes, you have to say that Harry Kane has his nose ahead for me,” Matthaus stated via the Bild website.
He highlighted Kane’s prolific scoring record during Bayern’s triumphant campaign, England’s journey to the World Cup semi-finals, and Kane’s exemplary “role-model function” within the sport.
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A season of prolific scoring and team success
Kane’s individual statistics from the past season certainly make a compelling case. He registered an astonishing 73 goals for club and country, a tally unmatched by any other player in Europe. This remarkable feat places him in elite company, with only Lionel Messi’s 82 goals in the 2011/12 season surpassing it in recent memory.
Bayern Munich, with Kane leading their attack, secured all three domestic titles in Germany, though they ultimately fell short in the Champions League. The England striker was among the nominees for the award, alongside Bayern teammates Michael Olise and Luis Diaz.
Speaking to UEFA, Kane reflected on the recognition: “I’m proud to be nominated with my teammates. We won all three titles in Germany and fell just short in the Champions League. But it’s out of my hands and down to the voters. It was a special season personally, but all I can do is focus on this season now.”
His teammate Luis Diaz was unequivocal in his support, praising Kane’s all-around game: “He does everything. [He] attacks, defends, assists. He was one of the top scorers in the whole world last season. That’s why I think he deserves it. 100%. He always wants more, refuses to settle, and he helps you as a teammate to grow.”
A British legacy on the line
Should Kane ultimately lift the Ballon d’Or in 2026, he would become only the seventh British footballer to receive the accolade. The last British recipient was Michael Owen in 2001, underscoring the rarity of such an achievement.
While Lionel Messi holds a record eight Ballon d’Or wins and Cristiano Ronaldo five, Matthaus’s endorsement of Kane signals a potential shift in the landscape for football’s most coveted individual prize. As highlighted by GiveMeSport, the Bayern forward’s combination of remarkable individual numbers and major team success has put him firmly in the conversation for the award.
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