“On Monday, the football world will turn its attention to London. For the first time, the Ballon d’Or will be awarded there, in Harry Kane’s hometown of all places. He grew up in London, and it was there that his extraordinary career began. I was fortunate enough to win the Ballon d’Or twice myself, so I can perhaps imagine how much it would mean to Harry to receive the award in the very place where it all began for him…
If I am asked to explain why Harry Kane deserves the Ballon d’Or, the sporting facts naturally come first: 73 goals in 65 competitive appearances for FC Bayern and the England national team. For the second time in three seasons, Harry won the European Golden Shoe as the continent’s top goalscorer. With Bayern, he won the domestic double of the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal, while with England he reached third place at the World Cup – their best finish in sixty (!) years.
Absolutely extraordinary numbers. But they are only part of the story.
Harry Kane is a completely different footballer today from the one I remember from his time at Tottenham. Back then, you mainly found him in the box – today, he has transformed into a quarterback. How often do we see him in midfield, taking control of the game and picking out Michael Olise or Luis Díaz with a precise long pass? And then, moments later, he is throwing himself into a duel inside his own penalty area. Harry consistently puts his extraordinary abilities at the service of the team.
But what truly makes Harry Kane special to me lies beyond all the statistics.
The way football is perceived by the public has changed. Top players are no longer simply athletes; they are global personalities, advertising figures and “brands.” The media, social networks and, not least, the public itself are driving this development forward. Attention has become a currency of its own. And sometimes you get the impression that the way a player presents himself has become almost as important as his performance on the pitch.
Harry Kane is the antithesis of that. His performances and popularity have long made him a “global brand.” But he has no need to constantly portray himself as one. He does not need grand gestures to demonstrate greatness. He is polite, down-to-earth, free of airs and graces, and treats people as equals. The old saying, “You have to be eleven friends,” has lost none of its meaning with him.
Everyone I ask in my family or circle of friends loves Harry Kane. And it is not just because of his goals.
Despite all his success, he has retained a wonderful and refreshing sense of normality. He is hardworking, works for the team, knows where he came from and has his heart in the right place. People like him have become rare. Where do we still find them – in sport, in politics, in society?
Harry Kane shows that you can be one of the best players in the world without constantly putting yourself at the centre of attention. That you can be ambitious while still being a team player. And that true greatness does not consist of elevating yourself above others.
I have won the Ballon d’Or twice myself, and I know the significance this award carries. But I also know that there can be different opinions when it comes to a vote like this. That is part of football, and it has to be respected.
My personal decision, however, is clear. It has nothing to do with Harry Kane’s age, but with his performances and his personality. To me, the two go hand in hand.
In my eyes, Harry Kane is the best player of the past season. But above all, he is something that goes beyond a single season: a true role model.
And perhaps, in the end, that is the greatest accolade a footballer can receive.”
[@hannalein3, @tzmuenchen]
