Harry Kane Champions League Over Ballon d’Or
Harry Kane Champions League ambition came before personal glory on Monday, when the Bayern Munich striker said he would trade his Ballon d’Or award for the Champions League trophy. Kane spoke in Madrid ahead of Bayern’s visit to face Atletico Madrid on Tuesday.
Kane was named the world’s best player last week, beating Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal to the award. Yet the England international said the reason he plays the game is to enjoy success with his team-mates, and he put team trophies first.
“Team trophies are why we play football. The team aspect of our sport is really, really important,” Kane told reporters in the Spanish capital. He called the Ballon d’Or one of the best feelings of his life and career, but he said lifting the Champions League with Bayern would be a special feeling with his team-mates. “I would choose the Champions League, but I have the opportunity to do both, let’s see what happens,” he added.
Harry Kane Champions League history at the Metropolitano
The venue gives Kane’s words extra weight. He suffered defeat in Atletico’s Metropolitano stadium in 2019, when he played in the Champions League final for Tottenham against Liverpool. The same stadium will host this season’s final, so a run to the end of the competition would bring him back to the ground where he lost that final.
“You have good memories in stadiums, sometimes you don’t, hopefully we can have a good memory tomorrow,” Kane added. He also noted that he returns to the stadium with England against Spain next week, and then, hopefully, at the end of the year for the Champions League final. “So I have a chance and we have a chance to erase that painful memory from 2019 for sure,” he said.
Bayern’s league phase form shows why the tie matters. Bayern have won only one of their first three league phase games, with draws against Arsenal and Viking. A win in Madrid would steady their campaign and ease the pressure on a squad that has already dealt with disruption off the pitch.
Praise from Simeone, and a new deal close
Atletico coach Diego Simeone praised Kane before Tuesday’s match, calling him a top player and good for football. Kane thanked Simeone in return, and he said he was proud to receive praise from someone he regards as one of the best coaches of this era. He added that Simeone will do everything he can to stop him and his team on Tuesday.
Kane also confirmed he was close to sealing a new deal to keep him in Munich for the foreseeable future. “I’d say it’s more days than weeks, we’re extremely close now,” Kane said, with his current contract expiring in June 2027. A new deal would settle his club future and let Bayern plan around their captain for the seasons ahead.
Bayern assistant coach Aaron Danks, who is standing in for Vincent Kompany in the Belgian’s absence with illness, said Michael Olise and Manuel Neuer were available after injury issues. Kompany was released after five days in hospital last week following a collapse in training and a subsequent diagnosis of meningeal irritation. Danks said his main role in Kompany’s absence was to protect what the staff had built over the last two and a half years, including their processes and identity.
Kane’s Ballon d’Or win was covered here: Harry Kane wins Ballon d’Or. Bayern’s domestic form is covered here: Bayern Freiburg Bundesliga top spot. Kompany’s health scare is covered here: Kompany discharged after hospital collapse.
For Kane, the Madrid trip is a test of his own message. The Ballon d’Or already sits in his cabinet. The Champions League is the prize he says he would trade it for, and the road back to the Metropolitano final starts on Tuesday night.
Frequently asked questions
What did Harry Kane say about the Ballon d’Or and the Champions League?
Kane said he would trade his Ballon d’Or award for the Champions League trophy, because team trophies are why he plays football. He added that he has the opportunity to win both, and said, “let’s see what happens.”
When did Kane win the Ballon d’Or?
Kane was named the world’s best player last week, beating Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal to the award, before Bayern’s trip to face Atletico Madrid.
Why does the Metropolitano matter to Kane?
Kane lost the 2019 Champions League final at the Metropolitano while playing for Tottenham against Liverpool. The same stadium will host this season’s final, so a Bayern run to the final would return him to that ground.
How have Bayern started in the Champions League league phase?
Bayern have won only one of their first three league phase games, with draws against Arsenal and Viking, so the Atletico match is an important fixture for their campaign.
Is Kane close to a new Bayern contract?
Yes. Kane said a new deal to keep him in Munich was extremely close, describing it as more days than weeks away. His current contract expires in June 2027.
