Rio Ferdinand backs Harry Kane for 2026 Ballon d’Or

Harry Kane’s bid for the 2026 Ballon d’Or has received a strong public endorsement from Rio Ferdinand. The former Manchester United and England defender used a Bayern Munich video to argue that no other contender should finish ahead of the striker.

Kane ended the season with 73 goals in all competitions, a total surpassed only by Lionel Messi in a single campaign. He also claimed the European Golden Shoe. His honours included the Bundesliga title with Bayern, a Champions League semi-final place and third position at the World Cup with England.

The numbers behind his case extend across each competition. Kane scored 36 times in 31 Bundesliga appearances, added 14 goals and two assists in 13 Champions League matches, and found the net 10 times in six German Cup games. Those figures give Ferdinand’s support a statistical foundation as the England captain competes with Ousmane Dembele, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Lamine Yamal and Fabian Ruiz for the award.

Ferdinand’s intervention places Kane at the centre of the early Ballon d’Or debate, with his club success, international performance and individual output all forming part of the argument for his candidacy.