# Harry Kane says he would choose Champions League over Ballon d'Or
_Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane has said he would trade his Ballon d'Or for a Champions League winner's medal._

- Publisher: Apex Sports News (https://apexsportsnews.in)
- Canonical URL: https://apexsportsnews.in/news/harry-kane-says-he-would-choose-champions-league-over-ballon-d-or
- Author: Rohit, Sports writer (https://apexsportsnews.in/author/rohit)
- Published: 2026-11-02T23:04:49.451Z
- Section: Football > Champions League
- Topics: Champions League, Bayern Munich, Harry Kane, Ballon d'Or
## Summary

Harry Kane told reporters he would pick the Champions League over the Ballon d'Or if forced to choose. The England captain made the comments ahead of Bayern Munich's match against Atletico Madrid.

## Key takeaways

- Kane said he would choose the Champions League over the Ballon d'Or.
- He became the first Englishman since 2001 to win the Ballon d'Or.
- Bayern Munich face Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.
- Kane scored 73 goals for club and country last season.
- Bayern won a domestic treble last season.

## Article

Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane says he would swap his Ballon d'Or trophy for a Champions League winner's medal. The 33-year-old became the first Englishman since 2001 to win the accolade, beating Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe and Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal.

Kane, who is expected to sign a new contract with Bayern within the next few days, made the comments at a news conference before Bayern's Champions League fixture with Atletico Madrid in the Spanish capital.

What we know

Kane said team trophies are why footballers play and that the team aspect of the sport is really important.

He described the Ballon d'Or as one of the best feelings of his life and career, but said lifting the Champions League with Bayern would be an incredible feeling.

When asked if he had to pick between the European Cup and the Ballon d'Or, he said he would choose the Champions League, but added he has the opportunity to do both.

Kane was feted at the Ballon d'Or ceremony in London, becoming just the fifth Englishman to win the award, joining Michael Owen, Sir Stanley Matthews, Sir Bobby Charlton and Kevin Keegan. Bayern and their supporters paid tribute to Kane before Saturday's Der Klassiker against Borussia Dortmund.

The Bavarian club have not had a Ballon d'Or winner since Karl-Heinz Rummenigge claimed the award in 1981. Kane scored 73 goals for club and country last season as he helped Bayern win a domestic treble.

Why it matters

Alan Shearer, the former England striker, backed Kane for the award, telling BBC Sport that Harry Kane should be the winner of the Ballon d'Or.

Shearer said Kane's numbers over the past 12 to 18 months have been absolutely staggering, whether with Bayern Munich or with the England national team, and that for that reason he deserves to win it.

Kane achieved a German double by winning the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal with Munich. However, he fell short in the Champions League semifinals and the World Cup quarterfinals with England.

According to the BBC, in the past 20 years, only five players have won the Ballon d'Or without winning any of the World Cup, Champions League, European Championship, or Copa America. Messi won three times, Ronaldo once, and now Kane has joined them.

What happens next

Bayern face Atletico Madrid in the Champions League fixture in the Spanish capital. Kane is expected to sign a new contract with Bayern within the next few days.

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### Sources

- [BBC Sport](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c6gr875l1095o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss)
- [tavily.com](https://tavily.com/knowledge/company/vA0lHivaKP5C)
- [sports.yahoo.com](https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/kane-trade-ballon-dor-champions-192300143.html)
- [chosun.com](https://www.chosun.com/english/sports-en/2026/10/27/2JEVIB5ZGFCCDBH4ZWJRNJPVQA)
- [goal.com](https://www.goal.com/en/lists/harry-kane-coldly-conquers-mbappe-and-yamal-how-he-defied-expectations-and-snatched-the-ballon-d-or/blt02a04f55e5cd651d)
- [Wikipedia: Harry Kane (background)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Kane)
- [Wikipedia: Premier League Golden Boot (background)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Premier_League_Golden_Boot)
- [Wikipedia: UEFA Champions League (background)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UEFA_Champions_League)
- [Photo: Bryan Berlin, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Harry_Kane_England_v_Panama_27_June_26-062.jpg)
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