Golden Shoe in hand, Kane dreams of Ballon d'Or after 'best season ever'

Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane has set his sights on the Ballon d'Or after collecting his second European Golden Shoe in Munich on Wednesday, an award given to the top scorer across Europe's leading divisions last season.

Kane, who first won the prize in 2023-24 following his debut campaign at Bayern, said this year's honour felt even sweeter than his first.

The England captain scored 36 goals in 31 Bundesliga appearances last term, the third most in a single German top-flight season, as Bayern claimed the league and cup double.

He added six goals at the World Cup, finishing as England's top scorer at the tournament and taking his career total for the Three Lions to 14, part of an overall haul of 73 goals for club and country across the season.

Kane described the campaign as the best of his career and admitted he hoped it would be enough to earn football's most prestigious individual honour.

"Obviously, that's out of my control. I know, of course, there's going to be a lot of talk about it from now until October when it's announced. Ultimately, I've done everything I can last season. It was my best season by far. I achieved a lot with the teams I was in."

Kane reached the Champions League semi finals with Bayern, who were beaten by eventual winners Paris Saint Germain, and went one round further with England at the World Cup before suffering an agonising 2-1 semi final defeat to Argentina.

Only Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have won the Golden Shoe more times than Kane among active players.

Messi has claimed the award six times, all at Barcelona, while Ronaldo won it three times with Real Madrid and once at Manchester United.

Asked about the wider Ballon d'Or race, Kane preferred to let others make the case for who deserved it most.

"That's for you guys to debate and fans to debate. That's what makes the Ballon d'Or so special as well. Many players have had great seasons."

The award will be presented in London in late October.

Kane also confirmed on Monday that he was set to begin negotiations over a new contract at Bayern, whose current deal with the striker is due to expire in 2027.