Thomas Tuchel has backed Harry Kane to win the Ballon d'Or and to continue playing at the next World Cup. The England captain is the bookies' red-hot favourite to be crowned the best player in the world at next month's ceremony after a record-breaking season.
Kane scored 73 goals, helped Bayern Munich win three trophies and reached a World Cup semi-final with England. England boss Tuchel believes that should place Kane ahead of the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal in the voting.
Tuchel's verdict on Kane
When asked whether Kane should win the award, Tuchel told ITV: "Yeah. After this season, yeah. 70 plus goals. Three titles with Bayern Munich. Semi-final, two semi-finals, semi final at the World Cup.
"He's getting better and better. He's added a level of physicality to his match. He's just like so committed to high press and so committed to being involved in every part of the match, be it deep build-up, be it finishing, be it build-up play in the middle block, be it defending. He's just the full package."
Kane's record and World Cup future
Kane would be the first English player since Michael Owen to win the Ballon d'Or in 2001. The World Cup ended in heartbreak for Kane, who will be 36 by the time the next World Cup kicks off in the summer of 2030.
Kane can equal Peter Shilton's 125 caps record in this run of four Nations League fixtures, which start against Spain on Saturday. Tuchel has no doubt that the striker will play on until the next World Cup.
Tuchel added: "At the next World Cup? Yeah, no problem. Age is age, doesn't matter. It's only about quality and he has a long way to go."
Kane's own view
Kane addressed his Ballon d'Or chances in a recent interview. "I've never liked to talk about myself too much," he told Marca. "The only thing I would say is that last season was incredible, on a personal level and as a team. It was, by far, the best season of my life.
"It's true that to finish on 73 goals, the second-highest tally in history, speaks for itself. I'm extremely proud of that. I can only thank my teammates and everyone who has helped me to make that possible.
"But the Ballon d'Or is not in my hands. It depends on the people that vote. From my point of view, last season is in the past. I'm now focused on this one and I'm eager to see what else I can achieve. I know that people are going to speak a lot about the Ballon d'Or until October, because it's a big award."
