Kane a Ballon d’Or favourite according to Tuchel
In the busy ITV studio, Thomas Tuchel stands ready to share his view: Harry Kane, 33 years old, has scored more than seventy goals this season and won three domestic titles with Bayern Munich, making him, according to the English coach, the favourite for the Ballon d’Or‑gala on October 26.
Thomas Tuchel backs Kane
The head coach of the English national team, Thomas Tuchel, told the ITV camera: “After a season like that he is my favourite. More than seventy goals, three domestic titles with Bayern Munich and semi‑finals at the World Cup and in the Champions League.” He emphasized that Kane “only gets better” and that he “has added extra physicality to his game.”
Tuchel continued: “He is so committed to the high press and so involved in every aspect of the match. Whether it is about finishing, the buildup in midfield or defending, he is simply a complete player.” The word “Bal” was even used by the coach in a lyrical sentence to describe the award.
Other prominent voices joined the debate. David Beckham, co‑owner of Inter Miami, praised Lionel Messi and said that he “certainly must be taken into consideration for the Ballon d’Or”. José Mourinho favoured Kylian Mbappé and argued that the award should not automatically go to a player who has won the Champions League or the World Cup. Luis Enrique, coach of Paris Saint‑Germain, said that he “is not interested in individual awards”, but nevertheless felt that “the award should go to a player from Paris Saint‑Germain.”
Ballon d’Or‑gala moves to London
The Ballon d’Or‑gala, traditionally held at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, will this year, due to the seventieth anniversary, be moved once to London. This relocation honours Sir Stanley Matthews, the first English winner in 1956, followed by Bobby Charlton (1966), Kevin Keegan (1978, 1979) and Michael Owen (2001). Kane could therefore become the fifth English winner, “at home”.
The ceremony on October 26 will feature, alongside Kane, Lamine Yamal, Kylian Mbappé and Rodri as major contenders. The debate over who the “best player in the world” is shows how wide the opinions are within the football world.
The conversation around the Ballon d’Or underscores the versatility of Kane’s game and the differing perspectives of coaches, former players and club executives. Whether the award ultimately goes to the Englishman remains one of the most discussed questions in the run‑up to the gala evening.