Ballon d’Or 2026: Declan Rice Names Harry Kane Clear Winner After Bayern’s Draw With Arsenal

Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice has tipped Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane to win the 2026 Ballon d’Or, describing the England captain as the clear favourite for football’s prestigious individual award.

Rice made the remarks following Arsenal’s 2-2 draw with Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday night, where Kane delivered an impressive performance against the Premier League side.

The Bayern forward contributed an assist for his team’s opening goal before converting a penalty, further demonstrating his influence in front of goal.

Speaking after the match, Rice praised Kane’s quality and consistency, insisting that the striker’s performances made him a leading contender for the award.

“For me, Harry is the clear winner of the Ballon d’Or 2026,” Rice said.

He added that Kane’s statistics and contribution to Bayern’s attacking play spoke volumes about his ability, particularly his assist and composed penalty during the encounter.

Rice also highlighted the difficulty of facing Kane on the pitch, explaining that playing alongside the striker and competing against him had given him a deeper appreciation of his abilities.

According to Rice, Kane’s performances throughout the campaign had been remarkable, although he acknowledged that the striker was competing against several other world-class footballers for the honour.

Kane reportedly scored 73 goals for club and country during the 2025-26 campaign, while helping Bayern Munich secure the Bundesliga title. His goalscoring record and contribution to his team’s success have strengthened his case for the individual accolade.

However, the Bayern striker faces stiff competition from Barcelona teenage sensation Lamine Yamal and Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé, who are also among the leading names being discussed in the Ballon d’Or race.

According to Bush Radio Academy, Rice’s endorsement adds to the growing discussion surrounding the 2026 Ballon d’Or, with Kane’s performances and impressive scoring record placing him firmly in contention for the prestigious award.