Declan Rice has given Harry Kane his firm backing to win the Ballon d’Or in 2026 after witnessing another superb all-round display from the England captain in Arsenal’s 2-2 Champions League draw with Bayern Munich.
Kane was directly involved in both of Bayern’s goals at the Allianz Arena, producing a brilliant defense-splitting pass for Alphonso Davies before confidently converting the penalty in the second half.
Rice eventually saved Arsenal by scoring an 82nd-minute equaliser, but was full of admiration for his international team-mate afterwards.
Rhys Kane makes his Ballon d’Or decision tough
Speaking to TNT Sports after Tuesday night’s game, Rice revealed who deserves football’s biggest individual award.
Declan Rice: “For me, Harry is the clear winner of the 2026 Ballon d’Or.”
“His numbers speak for themselves. For a striker to play that pass for his first goal, then the way he takes the penalty… he’s ridiculous, he’s such a good player, it’s crazy!” he told TNT Sports.
Rice’s argument is easy to understand. Kane enjoyed an extraordinary 2025/26 season, scoring 61 goals in 51 games for Bayern as he helped the German giants win the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal.
Due to a remarkable Bundesliga season, Kane scored 36 goals in the Bundesliga, a further 14 in the Champions League and ended the campaign with the European Golden Boot.
Kane’s complete game strengthens his Ballon d’Or claim
The most impressive part of Kane’s performance against Arsenal wasn’t actually the penalty.
His pass to Davies demonstrated why judging him purely by goals underestimates what he gives. Kane broke away from Arsenal’s defence, immediately identified the run and unleashed a perfectly sized ball that took several defenders out of the game.
This ability sets him apart from many traditional No.9s.
There will naturally be strong competition when the Ballon d’Or is awarded on October 26, but Kane has an unusually full schedule. He has individual numbers, major trophies and international performances, as well as helping England to third place at the 2026 World Cup.
Rice knows Kane’s quality from both points of view, playing alongside him for England and trying to stop him for Arsenal.
This makes his confirmation particularly interesting. Kane has spent much of his career lauded for goals, sometimes overlooked when football’s greatest individual honors are discussed.
After the season he’s had, that argument is becoming increasingly difficult to justify.
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