Harry Kane would give up his Ballon d'Or for a Champions League winner's medal, the BBC reported. The England captain spoke at a news conference in Madrid before Bayern Munich's Champions League game against Atletico Madrid. "Team trophies are why we play football," Kane said. Asked to choose between the two, he said he would pick the Champions League. He added that he has the chance to win both.
Kane, 33, became the first Englishman since 2001 to win the award, according to the BBC. He beat Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe and Barcelona's Lamine Yamal. He is only the fifth Englishman to win it, after Michael Owen, Sir Stanley Matthews, Sir Bobby Charlton and Kevin Keegan. Bayern had not had a winner since Karl-Heinz Rummenigge in 1981. Kane scored 73 goals for club and country last season and helped Bayern win a domestic treble.
Kane also said he is "extremely close" to signing a new contract with Bayern. He said the big issues have been settled and only small details remain for the lawyers. "All in all I would say it is more days than weeks," he said. Kane joined Bayern from Tottenham for £86.4 million (100 million euros) in August 2023.
On the pitch, the celebrations did not last long. Kane showed off the trophy before Saturday's Der Klassiker against Borussia Dortmund, but the visitors snatched a late draw, The Guardian reported. Kane set up a goal for Dayot Upamecano. He also hit the crossbar with a penalty and the post from point-blank range. Fábio Silva then equalised for Dortmund in the 89th minute. The two clubs remain level on points at the top of the Bundesliga.
Bayern's injury list is growing. According to The Guardian, Bayern were already without Luis Díaz, Manuel Neuer and Jamal Musiala. They lost three more forwards against Dortmund. Ismael Saibari had ankle surgery and faces at least three months out. Serge Gnabry is expected to miss several weeks with a hamstring injury, and Michael Olise appeared to hurt his knee. The Guardian said Bayern go to Madrid with only two senior forwards available: Kane and 18-year-old Lennart Karl.
Head coach Vincent Kompany is also missing. The BBC said he collapsed during a reserve-team training session on October 23 and left hospital five days later. There is no fixed date for his return, and assistant Aaron Danks is in charge. "We're missing our coach, but everyone has the opportunity to prove themselves," Kane said.