Former Liverpool striker Michael Owen has told Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane that only a decent 2026 World Cup can help him win the Ballon d’Or.
The England captain is one of the leading players nominated for the 2025/26 Ballon d’Or award after an incredible season so far for Bayern which has seen him hit he 30-goal mark at club level despite it only being January.
In a chat with English Premier League betting, Owen stated that Kane must do well at the World Cup if he is to win the Ballon d’Or.
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“I use the phrase perfect storm. Ballon d’Or is a perfect storm scenario, you need to be having an exceptional season yourself and be in an exceptional team – or at least a winning team. All of that helps and gives you a huge advantage.
“Bayern Munich are going to win the league, they are miles clear, if they won the Champions League, and he had a decent World Cup, then absolutely Harry Kane would have a chance of picking up that prize. It’s just ifs and buts.
“In World Cup year, a lot depends on who wins the World Cup. That is going to carry so much weight. Somebody can have an average season but if they are top scorer at the World Cup and score the winner in the final, it’s pretty hard to argue that they haven’t just contributed to the ultimate prize of all-time, and that’s going to carry a lot of weight. If he stays fit and healthy and does well, and his team are good, then of course he has got a big chance.”
