2026 Ballon d’Or: Pochettino backs Harry Kane to win award

United States national team coach Mauricio Pochettino has expressed confidence that Bayern Munich forward Harry Kane will secure the highly coveted 2026 Ballon d’Or award. Pochettino believes the Englishman is due his reward for an illustrious career, similar to past recipients such as Luka Modrić, Fabio Cannavaro, and Karim Benzema.

Last season, Kane netted an impressive 61 goals in 51 appearances for Bayern Munich, contributing significantly to their Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal triumphs. Additionally, Kane played a pivotal role in England's third-place finish in the 2026 World Cup, netting six goals in the tournament. Pochettino's praise for Kane, reported by ESPN, reads: "My wish, I hope yes [he wins it].

I think he deserves it as the reward for his career and for all that he has done in football." However, Pochettino also acknowledges that Kane might face scrutiny due to England's poor performance in the World Cup and Champions League semifinals, questioning whether he will be punished for those achievements. Despite this, Pochettino firmly asserts that "it’s Harry Kane’s time" to take home the prestigious individual accolade, citing his outstanding contributions to the sport.