Harry Kane could win the Ballon d'Or at Bayern Munich if he leads them to Champions League glory, according to the club legend Lothar Matthaus. The German icon explained that he is most impressed by the striker's "playmaker" assists, not just his goals, and urged him to finish his career in the Bundesliga.
Could Kane win the Ballon d'Or?
Matthaus has tipped Kane to win a future Ballon d'Or, provided he can lead the German giants to Champions League glory. Writing in a column for on the day of the 2025 award ceremony, the former player explained that it is Kane's creative ability, not just his goals, that is most impressive.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportKane's prolific start to the season
The England captain has been in sensational form at the start of the 2025-26 campaign. Kane, 32, has scored an astonishing eight goals and provided three assists in just four Bundesliga appearances, taking his total tally for the season to 13 goals in seven games across all competitions for the club. At the weekend, the ex-Tottenham striker netted three goals against Hoffenheim to enhance his perfect start.
'Assists from a playmaker' – What the legend said
Despite this year's main Ballon d'Or contenders being Ousmane Dembele and Lamine Yamal, the Bayern legend believes Kane could soon be in the conversation. "Perhaps Harry Kane would be one of those, too, if Bayern Munich manage to get further in the Champions League than they have recently," he wrote. "His performances for Bayern are still fantastic. Especially because of his many goals, of course, but what impresses me most are the assists he provides. These are assists from a playmaker or pacesetter. That's what makes Bayern so difficult to predict at the moment."
'He's never been better' – Advice to ignore Premier League record
The column also addressed persistent rumours linking Kane with a return to the Premier League to break Alan Shearer's all-time goalscoring record. The German icon, however, gave a firm recommendation for the striker to remain in Bavaria.
"There are repeated rumors that Kane might return to England next summer… but I would recommend Kane stay at Bayern Munich," he stated. "He's never been better, and here he's made an even bigger impact… he should finish his career at Bayern."