Harry Kane (foto: Getty Images)
Michael Owen believes Harry Kane has a real chance to win the Ballon d’Or in 2026 if he wins the Champions League with Bayern and has a strong World Cup with England, calling it a “perfect storm” scenario.
Harry Kane has been told exactly what he needs to do to finally win the Ballon d’Or — and according to Michael Owen, the stars could align for him in 2026.
Owen, who remains the last Englishman to win the Ballon d’Or (in 2001), believes the Bayern Munich and England striker has a “big chance” in a World Cup year — but only if everything comes together at the perfect moment.
Kane finally ended his long wait for major trophies in the 2024/25 season by winning the Bundesliga with Bayern. He scored 41 goals in all competitions last season and has already passed the 30-goal mark again this year.
Despite that, he finished only 13th in the last Ballon d’Or vote, a ranking that surprised many given his consistency and numbers.
Speaking about Kane’s chances, Owen explained the logic behind Ballon d’Or success.
“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,” Owen said.
“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.”
Owen also stressed that in a World Cup year, the tournament can outweigh almost everything else.
“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 against that.”
“If he stays fit and healthy, does well, and his team are good, then of course he has got a big chance.”
Kane, now 32, continues to rewrite history books. He has scored 78 goals in 112 appearances for England and remains the undisputed leader of the national team heading into the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
He has never hidden that the Ballon d’Or is a dream, even if he always puts the team first.
“Obviously, I would love to win the Ballon d’Or. It’s essentially a team trophy that the best individual from that team wins. Unless you win the biggest competitions, it’s very hard,” Kane said previously.
“With Bayern you are always one of the favourites for the Champions League. With England, we will be one of the favourites for the World Cup. The opportunity is there.”
Kane is currently chasing a third consecutive Bundesliga Golden Boot and continues to deliver at an elite level. If he can combine Champions League success with Bayern and a deep World Cup run — or even a title — with England, his Ballon d’Or case would suddenly become very hard to ignore.
For now, the mission is clear: trophies, goals, and one perfect season at the perfect time.