Harry Kane: Tottenham to Bayern move led to improved ‘aura’

Harry Kane has said he sees himself with a real chance of winning the next men’s Ballon d’Or, adding his “aura” as a player has improved since joining Bayern Munich.

The 31-year-old striker, who is England’s all-time leading goalscorer, has netted 32 goals and provided 11 assists in 37 appearances across all competitions this season for Bayern, helping the German giants top the Bundesliga table and book a place in the Champions League quarterfinals.

While no English player has won the Ballon d’Or since former Liverpool striker Michael Owen in 2001, Kane believes his chance of winning men’s football’s top individual award has been boosted by his August 2023 move from Tottenham Hotspur to Bayern.

“Just being at a club like Bayern Munich has helped push me on even more, confidence-wise and responsibility-wise,” Kane told reporters ahead of Friday’s World Cup qualifier against Albania.

“I feel like I’ve definitely got better, I’ve improved, and maybe the ‘aura’ of me as a player is a bit more respected than what it has been in the past, because you’re playing in big games, big nights.

“That’s probably what I mean in terms of being respected more worldwide, on the bigger stage. For something like that, you have to win enough team trophies to be considered in that and probably score 40-odd goals, but that is a possibility this season.”

Kane said his goal-scoring feats are not always appreciated but he remains motivated as ever.

“It’s like when [Cristiano] Ronaldo and [Lionel] Messi were throwing these crazy numbers out there and the next season they’d score 40 goals instead of 50. It was like they were having a bad season,” Kane said.

“People take it for granted and maybe a little bit with England as well. I’ve scored 69 goals and when you score against Albania or Latvia, or these teams, people just expect it so it’s not spoken about so much.

“If I was 25 now and doing what I’m doing, the excitement around me would maybe be a little bit different to what it is now. That’s part of where we are with football … Maybe people just get a little bit bored of what you do, but I’m certainly not bored. I’m excited for these games and the games ahead.”

Information from Reuters contributed to this report.