Harry Kane Targets Ballon d’Or After Golden Shoe Win

Harry Kane has set his sights on the Ballon d’Or after claiming the European Golden Shoe for the second time in his career.

The Bayern Munich striker received the award in Munich on Wednesday after finishing as Europe’s leading scorer across the top domestic leagues last season.

Kane scored 36 goals in 31 Bundesliga matches as Bayern secured the league and cup double. His tally ranked as the third-highest in a single Bundesliga season. Across club and international football, the 33-year-old finished the campaign with an impressive 73 goals.

He also scored six times for England at the World Cup, taking his tournament total to 14, the highest figure recorded by an England player.

Those numbers have strengthened Kane’s belief that he can challenge for the Ballon d’Or, although he accepts that the final decision is outside his hands.

“Ultimately, I’ve done everything I can last season. It was my best season by far. I achieved a lot with the teams I was in,” Kane said.

Bayern also reached the Champions League semi-finals, where they narrowly lost to eventual winners Paris Saint-Germain. England reached the World Cup semi-finals before suffering a 2-1 defeat to Argentina.

Kane’s second European Golden Shoe puts him behind only Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in the award’s history. Messi has won it six times, while Ronaldo has claimed it four times.

Kane admitted several players enjoyed outstanding campaigns and said the Ballon d’Or debate adds to the appeal of the award.

The England captain also expects talks over a new Bayern contract to begin soon, with his current deal running until 2027.

Do you think Harry Kane has done enough to win the Ballon d’Or?