Bayern duo challenge Ballon d'Or tradition as Kane and Olise shine
The Ballon d'Or award ceremony on 26 October looms, and the question "Welche Chancen Kane" dominates headlines as Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane and Michael Olise emerge as the club’s strongest contenders. Both players have enjoyed a historic season, yet their candidacy would require the voting panel to break an unwritten rule.
Rogers backs Kane
Chelsea forward Morgan Rogers praised Kane on Tuesday evening in the catacombs of Wembley Stadium. "For me he should win the Ballon d'Or. I think, with the season he has played, he has exceeded all expectations. Triple (Deutsche Meisterschaft, DFB-Pokal, Supercup, note of the Red.), a Hattrick in a Finale, goals at the World Cup, goals for Bayern. What more can he do? That must be rewarded," Rogers said, adding that the striker’s haul of trophies merits the Ball.
Unwritten Ballon d'Or rule
Since 1995 the Ballon d'Or has traditionally gone to a player who has also lifted the Champions League, especially in a World Cup year when the winner’s national side missed out. The only breach came in 2010 when Lionel Messi won without a Champions League title. A triumph for either Kane or Olise would therefore constitute a rare break with this convention.
Bayern grant Michael Olise €200m release clause to lock him to 2032
Olise’s case and other rivals
Olise, aged 24, recorded 22 goals and 31 assists in 52 appearances for Bayern last season, matching Kane’s trophy collection of the Deutsche Meisterschaft, DFB-Pokal and Supercup. In the summer he set a new World Cup record with seven assists, overtaking Pelé’s previous mark of six. His flair and the "wow factor" have made him a compelling Ballon d'Or argument alongside the striker.
Other leading candidates include Kylian Mbappé of Real Madrid, Erling Haaland of Manchester City, and Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal and Rodri. Rodri managed only 33 games for Manchester City due to injury, while Yamal’s World Cup output – one goal and one assist – fell short of expectations. PSG stars face similar issues: Vitinha’s Portugal exited in the round of 16, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s Georgia failed to qualify, and Ousmane Dembélé is unlikely to match his 2024/25 form. Mbappé arrived at Real without any club trophies, and Haaland’s domestic success came with two English cup wins – the FA Cup and the EFL Cup – but neither secured the Champions League.
Bayern gamble on €200 million release clause to keep Michael Olise
Given Kane’s 67 goals and nine assists in 58 Bayern outings since the start of the 2025/26 season, plus six World Cup goals and an assist that helped England finish third, he is a clear favourite. Olise’s record‑breaking assists and equal haul of domestic titles keep the debate alive. Journalists may therefore find it difficult to choose, but the two Bayern Stars stand as the most likely recipients of the coveted Ball.