The Ballon d'Or livestream in London on Monday at 21 Uhr MEZ will be watched closely by Harry Kane, who has made a serious case to be among the favourites after scoring 61 goals for FC Bayern München and 12 for England.
Kane has already said that winning the Ballon d'Or would be special, and he enters the evening with the kind of numbers that force attention. The award, organised by France Football, will be handed out in a format that has changed since 2022, when it began being awarded for the previous season rather than the calendar year.
Kane's numbers make the argument obvious
There is no shortage of competition in the race, with Lamine Yamal, Rodri, Kylian Mbappé, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Ousmane Dembélé and Michael Olise all part of the wider discussion. But Kane's case is straightforward: goals still matter, and 61 for Bayern and 12 for England is a return that places him firmly in the conversation.
He has also been clear about how he feels. “Den Ballon d’Or zu gewinnen, wäre großartig. Ich hatte letztes Jahr eine fantastische Saison und bin extrem stolz darauf,” Kane said. He also described the occasion by saying, “Es könnte ein besonderer Abend werden.”
The complication in Kane's bid
What makes the picture less simple is the absence of a major international title in the season being judged. That does not remove Kane from contention, but it does add context to a race that often rewards a player who has combined individual brilliance with silverware.
There is also a historical layer to this evening. If a Bundesliga player wins, it would be the first time since 1996. If an English winner emerges, it would be the first since 2001, when Michael Owen last claimed the prize.
That is why this Ballon d'Or livestream has so much weight. Kane has the numbers, the profile and the momentum to be considered a genuine contender, but the final verdict will only arrive when the award is announced in London on Monday night.
