Steven Gerrard Tips Harry Kane to Win 2026 Ballon d’Or If England Deliver Strong Summer Tournament

Former Liverpool captain and ex-Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard has thrown his weight behind Harry Kane as the player best positioned to win the 2026 Ballon d’Or, stating the Bayern Munich forward has “one hand on the trophy” should he combine his prolific individual output with meaningful team honours.

Speaking to TNT Sports, Gerrard outlined the conditions he believes Kane must meet to secure the prestigious award. Central to his argument is Kane’s performance with the England national team during the summer international tournament — a stage Gerrard views as the decisive factor in the 32-year-old’s campaign.

“Then, if he were to go away with England and have a successful tournament in terms of goals and where England gets to in the competition, I think he would strengthen his case,” Gerrard said. “I’d love nothing better than to see him be successful from now until the end of the season, and get the individual award that he will crave. In the back of his mind, he will want that, and he deserves it.”

Kane has produced a prolific season in the Bundesliga since his move to Bayern Munich, continuing the goal-scoring form that has defined his career. Despite that individual excellence, Bayern’s exit from the UEFA Champions League has complicated his Ballon d’Or prospects, as voters have historically favoured players who advance deep into Europe’s premier club competition.

The striker faces significant competition for the award. Lamine Yamal, Michael Olise, and Declan Rice have all registered strong campaigns in 2025-26, while Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembélé is reported to have surged into contention following PSG’s progress in the Champions League. The crowded field reflects a broader shift in the award’s landscape following the retirement of Lionel Messi from elite European competition and Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to Saudi Arabia.

Kane’s candidacy carries a notable narrative dimension. The England captain has never won a major trophy at club or international level, a record that has historically worked against him in individual award voting. Should England perform strongly in the summer tournament, it would address one of the most persistent criticisms levelled at his legacy.

At 32, Kane is also navigating a narrowing window of opportunity for the honour. The Ballon d’Or, awarded annually by France Football, typically rewards players who combine sustained individual brilliance with collective achievement at the highest level. Kane’s record-breaking goal tallies — both for club and country — satisfy the former criterion, but the latter remains outstanding.

Gerrard’s endorsement, while carrying no formal weight in the voting process, reflects a growing sentiment among football observers that Kane’s body of work merits recognition at the sport’s highest individual level. Whether the Ballon d’Or electorate agrees may ultimately depend on results that are yet to be determined on the international stage this summer.