Harry Kane, Michael Olise are the frontrunners for the Ballon d’Or
· Yahoo Sports
This is not a hot take at all.
In fact, this take is as lukewarm as the German football team in international competitions.
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Harry Kane has notched 5 goals already in the FIFA World Cup 2026 so far and is England’s all-time leader in World Cup goals. Michael Olise, on the other hand, has a staggering 5 assists, is his team’s engine, and should have a lot more if his teammates could finish the chances he lays out for them on a platter with more precision. Both England and France are in the WC Round of 16, and the tally will almost certainly improve for both players.
The argument doesn’t end there. While they have been the main men for their respective national teams, the two players have had a ridiculous season at the club level for Bayern Munich. Kane has notched an otherworldly 61 goals and 7 assists for Bayern Munich across all competitions, while Olise has an absurd 22 goals and 31 (!!!) assists in what is arguably the best-ever statistical season for a Bayern winger.
Now that is NUTS.
The case I lay out is simple. If France wins the World Cup, Olise wins the Ballon d’Or.
Why, you ask?
Well, for starters, his main competition would be Kylian Mbappé, who is having a sensational World Cup but hasn’t won a single trophy at the club level this season. Olise’s consistency throughout the season, while powering Bayern to a double AND knocking out Mbappé’s Real Madrid from the Champions League quarter-finals, should pip him over the striker. Moreover, Olise’s impact for France has been immeasurable… Mbappé is the benefactor of Olise’s outrageous playmaking.
The only other argument would be Ousmane Dembélé, which can be nerfed down quickly… Dembélé has only notched 2200 minutes the entire season for PSG, starting 9 games in the Ligue 1… Olise has 4015 minutes. Let that sink in.
And now, to our prime candidate thus far – Harry Kane.
Let’s face it… England winning the World Cup is a much tougher ask. Kane carries that team on his back. The team lives and dies with its captain. He IS England.
Kane quite literally carried England over the line against DR Congo all by himself. If this team somehow miraculously overcomes Mexico next, they will face the winner of Brazil vs Norway, which is another tall order. And after that? Possibly Colombia or Argentina.
However, one could argue that Kane’s mind-numbing performances for club and country ALREADY warrant the award. He’s done enough already. Of course, a World Cup trophy wouldn’t hurt and would cement him as the favourite. But Kane is likely to be let down by a team and coach he has to hard-carry. The argument for Kane is simple: he is the main man for club and country and a player having the best statistical season ever by a player not named Lionel Messi.
If anything, that by itself warrants the Ballon d’Or. England somehow winning the WC would GUARANTEE Bayern’s first Ballon d’Or since 1976.
What are your thoughts? Who are your Ballon d’Or favourites? Let us know in the comments!
If you are looking for more Bayern Munich and German national team coverage, check out the latest episodes of Bavarian Podcast Works, which you can get on Acast, Spotify, Apple, or any leading podcast distributor…
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