Harry Kane responded to the current debate surrounding the Ballon d’Or following FC Bayern’s 7-0 rout of Union Berlin. While other candidates are speaking out aggressively about their chances, the Englishman continues to take a much more reserved approach.
The latest discussion was sparked by comments from Lamine Yamal. The Barcelona star had emphasized in an interview with Movistar that, in his opinion, the Ballon d’Or should go to the best player in the world—and not automatically to the one who scores the most goals. Even though Yamal did not mention Kane by name, his comments were widely interpreted as a possible dig at the Bayern striker.
Kane himself did not want to use the 19-year-old’s comments as an opportunity to publicly promote himself after the Union match. Instead, in an interview with the AZ, he made it clear: “I don’t want to talk much about myself. I let my play on the field do the talking. Everyone is different.”
Kane praises Yamal and Olise
Kane wouldn’t hear of it being a shot back at Yamal. Instead, the Bayern star had words of praise for his rival—and for Michael Olise.
“Lamine Yamal had a great season, and so did Michael Olise.”
Olise, in particular, provided further evidence of his own Ballon d’Or credentials against Union. The Frenchman scored his first hat trick in club soccer during the 7-0 win, set up another goal, and also drew the penalty that Kane converted to make it 2-0.
Kane himself also made history that evening. With the penalty kick, he scored his 100th Bundesliga goal—and needed just 98 appearances to do so. Shortly afterward, the Englishman added his 101st goal.
In doing so, the Bayern striker once again underscored his exceptional scoring rate—ironically, right in the midst of the discussion surrounding the prestigious individual award.
“The Ballon d’Or isn’t in my hands”
The fact that Kane doesn’t promote his chances more aggressively is consistent with his stance so far. In recent weeks, the goal-scorer had already emphasized on several occasions that he had no influence over the voting.
Even after the Union match, he stayed true to this line: “The Ballon d’Or is not in my hands.”
While the award has long been the subject of public discussion and promotion, Kane is taking a different approach. He intends to let his performances speak for themselves in response to the debate.
The timing could hardly have been more fitting. Just minutes before Kane spoke about the Ballon d’Or, he had set another personal record with two more goals. His message is accordingly clear: Others can talk about the vote—Kane wants to make his case on the field.