England captain Harry Kane is likely to be one of the favorites to win the Ballon d’Or, but he has been warned that one of his Bayern Munich team-mates could lead him to glory.
Harry Kane is a Ballon d’Or candidate, but Willy Sagnol insists another star deserves the award (Image: Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
Harry Kane knows winning the World Cup with England could earn him Ballon d’Or glory, but he has been told it would be a travesty if anyone other than Michael Oliseh won the coveted award.
The England captain had another sensational season for both club and country, scoring 66 goals in 56 games for Bayern Munich and helping the German giants win their second successive Bundesliga title, before becoming England’s all-time World Cup top scorer with goals against Croatia and Panama.
Kane’s arrogant tone has made him a strong candidate to become the first Briton to win the Ballon d’Or since Michael Owen in 2021.
However, the competition to win the golden gong will be fierce. That could include a handful of players Kane is familiar with.
Kane and Olise have had a devastating impact on German side Bayern Munich this season, with the former Crystal Palace winger also impressing for France at the World Cup.
And former France defender Willy Sagnol said Olise’s failure to win the award proves there is a “serious problem” in football, as the 24-year-old is currently the best player in the world.
“Michael Oliseh is the best in the world, far above all other players,” Sagnol told Bild. “If he doesn’t win the Ballon d’Or at the end of the year, there’s something seriously wrong with football.”
This year’s ceremony will be held in London to honor the late and great Stanley Matthews, the first Ballon d’Or winner, and to mark the prestigious award’s 70th anniversary.
Sagnol believes Michael Oliseh is currently the best player in the world (Image: Getty Images)
And while it remains to be seen who will win the award, Kane told L’Equipe he believes winning the World Cup with England will give him a fighting chance.
“I think we can probably definitely get up there,” Kane said. “Given the season we’ve had so far, the three trophies we’ve won and the numbers we’ve achieved, I think I’ll be part of that conversation.
“Plus you would imagine that if I won the World Cup it would be one of the England players.
“If you look at some of the past Ballon d’Or winners, it definitely comes down to big matches, big tournaments. And in addition to what I achieved this year, I think I can get up there.”
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