With his Ballon d’Or victory in 2026, Harry Kane not only made history but also disproved an old claim made by Robert Lewandowski. The former Bayern striker had once claimed that the chances of winning the Ballon d’Or were greater at FC Barcelona than at the German record champions. Ironically, it was his successor in Munich who has now proven that it is possible to be named the world’s best soccer player even while wearing a Bayern jersey.
On Monday evening in London, Kane prevailed over Kylian Mbappé and Lamine Yamal. This makes the 33-year-old the first Bayern player since Karl-Heinz Rummenigge in 1981 to win the prestigious award.
This historic achievement has also caused a previous statement by Lewandowski to resurface on social media. After his move from Munich to Barcelona, the Polish player had highlighted the international appeal of his new club.
“In Barcelona, the path to the Ballon d’Or is shorter.”
“I think the path to the Ballon d’Or is shorter from Barcelona than from Bayern Munich,” Lewandowski explained in 2022 when asked about the reasons behind his move to the Catalans.
A remarkable statement, considering that the former Bayern striker had himself been among the top contenders for the Ballon d’Or on several occasions during his time in Munich. In 2020 in particular, Lewandowski was considered a strong favorite following his outstanding treble-winning season. However, the award was not presented that year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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In 2021 as well, despite outstanding performances, the Polish player had to settle for second place behind Lionel Messi.
These experiences likely shaped Lewandowski’s assessment. After all, clubs like Real Madrid and FC Barcelona traditionally benefit from enormous international attention.
Kane proves: Winning the Ballon d’Or is possible even at Bayern
With his triumph, Kane has now provided a strong counterargument.
The Englishman largely refrained from campaigning personally in the run-up to the vote and instead focused on his performances on the field.
With numerous goals, the domestic double of the league title and the DFB Cup, as well as strong performances in the Champions League and at the 2026 World Cup, he ultimately convinced the international jury.
In doing so, Kane prevailed over none other than Barcelona star Lamine Yamal, who finished third in the voting.
Of course, Kane’s success does not automatically mean that Lewandowski’s assessment at the time was fundamentally wrong. The Pole was referring to the different circumstances and the international perception of both clubs.
However, the Englishman’s Ballon d’Or victory impressively demonstrates that the Bundesliga is not an insurmountable obstacle to winning the highest individual honor in world soccer.
This could also prove important for FC Bayern looking ahead. With Michael Olise, the Munich club has another player in its ranks who is believed to have long-term potential to win the Ballon d’Or.
Kane has now provided the proof: Anyone who wants to become the best soccer player in the world doesn’t necessarily have to move to Barcelona or Madrid. The path through Munich can also lead all the way to the top.