England captain Harry Kane has revealed his ambitions to win the prestigious Ballon d'Or award while continuing his remarkable scoring form that sees him closing in on Brazilian legend Pelé's international record.
Record-Breaking Form Continues
The Bayern Munich striker has been in phenomenal form this season, netting 23 goals in just 17 appearances for his new German club while maintaining his impressive England record with three goals in four international matches. Kane now stands just one goal away from equalling Pelé's legendary international tally of 77 goals, having scored 76 times in 111 caps for England compared to the Brazilian's 77 in 92 matches.
What makes Kane's season even more remarkable is his incredible consistency. The England skipper has failed to score in only six matches across all competitions for both club and country this campaign, demonstrating his relentless goal-scoring prowess.
Ballon d'Or Ambitions and Team Success
When questioned about his chances of winning the Ballon d'Or, Kane provided a revealing insight into his professional mindset. "I could score 100 goals this season, but if I don't win the Champions League or the World Cup, you're probably not going to win the Ballon d'Or," he stated candidly.
The England captain drew parallels with other top players like Erling Haaland, emphasising that team success remains paramount for individual accolades. "It's the same with Haaland, it's the same with any player. You have to be winning those major trophies," Kane explained.
With Bayern Munich dominating the Bundesliga and England establishing themselves as World Cup favourites, Kane acknowledged the favourable circumstances. "We're in great shape at Bayern Munich so that maybe makes the odds a little bit more in my favour. Same with England. Hopefully, if things go my way for club and country then I'm definitely going to be in the conversation for a trophy like the Ballon d'Or."
England's Resurgent Culture Under Tuchel
Kane expressed strong confidence in England's current squad culture under manager Thomas Tuchel, highlighting a significant improvement from this time last year. The team has shown remarkable commitment during their World Cup qualification campaign, achieving seven wins from seven matches while maintaining seven clean sheets.
The captain pointed to the example of Crystal Palace defender Marc Guéhi as evidence of the squad's renewed dedication. Despite suffering an injury that left him unable to walk according to his club manager, Guéhi reported for England duty and participated in team meetings before eventually withdrawing.
"Yes, 100%," Kane responded when asked if England now possesses the culture required to win the World Cup. "It's better than where we were last year. Representing your country is the biggest honour and when you're trying to build a culture and a winning mentality you need the players there as much as possible."
Leadership and Tactical Development
Kane's growth as a vocal leader has become increasingly evident over the past 18 months. His influence extends beyond the pitch, with manager Thomas Tuchel relying on the captain to help convey important messages to the squad.
Following England's qualification for the World Cup with a 5-0 victory over Latvia last month, Kane addressed the team in the dressing room, emphasising the importance of full commitment for the November internationals. Tuchel later described Kane's words as "basically the headline" for the entire camp.
The England captain also discussed tactical developments, including the team's focus on set pieces. "We want to build a book of set plays... like an NFL playbook where you look at the opposition, see if they are zonal or man-mark and pick what we want to do," Kane revealed. "Ultimately, the best team at set plays normally go on to be the best team in the tournament."
Regarding Phil Foden's role as potential cover in the number nine position, Kane acknowledged the Manchester City player's unique qualities. "With Phil, there has been a lot of talk throughout his England career about where he should play and clarity is the thing he probably needs. The boss has made it pretty clear he sees him as one of the false 9s or as a No 10."
As England prepare for their final World Cup qualifier against Albania, Kane's dual pursuit of individual excellence and team success continues to drive him forward, with historic achievements and major trophies appearing increasingly within reach.
