Thomas Tuchel has expressed strong support for England captain Harry Kane to win the Ballon d’Or next month, highlighting the striker’s outstanding 2025-26 season and his potential longevity at the international level. Kane, who plays for Bayern Munich, is currently the bookmakers’ favourite for the prestigious award, which recognises the world’s best footballer.
Kane enjoyed a remarkable campaign, scoring 73 goals across club and country and playing a key role in Bayern Munich’s treble triumph, which included the Bundesliga title, German Cup, and German Super Cup. On the international stage, Kane helped England reach the semi-finals of the recent World Cup, where they secured a third-place finish—England’s best-ever performance on foreign soil at the tournament. Despite falling short of the final, Kane’s overall impact during the season has drawn widespread acclaim.
Tuchel praised Kane’s development, noting improvements in his physicality, work rate, and overall contribution across all facets of the game. The Bayern boss highlighted Kane’s commitment to pressing, involvement in build-up play, finishing, and defensive duties, describing him as “the full package.” He added that Kane has continued to elevate his performance level, combining goal-scoring prowess with tactical versatility.
If awarded, Kane would become the first English player since Michael Owen in 2001 to claim the Ballon d’Or, marking a significant milestone for the 33-year-old forward. In addition to his goal-scoring records, Kane is on the cusp of equalling Peter Shilton’s record for most England caps, with 125 appearances. The current international campaign includes four Nations League fixtures starting with a match against Spain at Wembley, where Kane could reach that milestone.
Looking ahead, questions have been raised about Kane’s prospects for the 2030 World Cup, which will be hosted jointly by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco. By then, Kane will be 36 years old, an age at which many players consider retirement from the international stage. However, Tuchel expressed confidence about Kane’s longevity, emphasizing that age is less important than quality. “It’s only about quality, and he has a long way to go,” Tuchel said when asked if Kane could still lead England at the next World Cup.
England’s upcoming Nations League fixtures will offer further opportunities to see Kane’s leadership and skill on display, as the team seeks to build on their recent successes under coach Gareth Southgate. Meanwhile, Kane’s strong form continues to fuel debate about his place among the world’s elite footballers as the Ballon d’Or award approaches.