Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane was voted the 2026 player of the year in Germany by an association of sports journalists on Sunday, finishing ahead of teammate Michael Olise. Kicker magazine revealed the results of its yearly polls of members of the Association of German Sports Journalists.
Award after stellar season
Kane, the England captain, won the award after a stellar season in which he won the Bundesliga and German Cup while Bayern also reached the Champions League semi-finals. The 33-year-old scored 61 goals for the club last season in all competitions. He then scored six goals as England reached the World Cup semi-finals before losing to Argentina. On Saturday he featured in Bayern’s 2-1 German Super Cup victory over Borussia Dortmund.
Bayern dominance in awards
Bayern’s Vincent Kompany was named coach of the year, while their women’s captain Giulia Gwinn won the award for best female player.
The 695 members of the journalists’ association vote on the award, with Bundesliga players and German footballers playing abroad eligible for the playing honours. Kane, 33, is the first Englishman to win the award while Olise also finished second in 2025, behind Florian Wirtz.
Reaction and future honours
“It’s almost impossible to find the right superlatives to describe Harry Kane – sometimes I’m at a loss for words,” Bayern sporting director, Max Eberl, said in a statement. “He’s already been named England’s Footballer of the Year, and now he’s also won it in Germany.”
The England captain is among the favourites for the Ballon d’Or, which will be handed out in London in October.
Gwinn, who shared the women’s award last year with Ann-Katrin Berger, ensured more joy for Bayern as she finished clear of teammate ahead of her teammate Klara Bühl.
