Bayern Munich striker, Harry Kane, has said he would trade his 2026 Ballon d’Or award for the UEFA Champions League trophy, expressing his desire to achieve European glory with the German club.
The England captain made the declaration on Monday at a press conference ahead of Bayern’s Champions League encounter with Atletico Madrid on Tuesday.
According to Spanish newspaper Marca, Kane was asked if he would exchange his individual honour for the prestigious European club competition, to which he responded, “Yes, I would choose the Champions League.”
The 2026 Ballon d’Or winner, who received the award last week, said lifting the Champions League with his teammates would be an extraordinary achievement, despite describing his recent individual recognition as one of the most memorable moments of his career.
“Last week’s Ballon d’Or was one of the best feelings I’ve had in my life, in my career. It was a really special award and a special night for me.
“But having moments with the team, having celebrations with the team, with the club, being able to lift the Champions League with Bayern would be simply an incredible feeling,” he said.
Kane, however, expressed optimism that he could achieve both ambitions, noting that Bayern’s position gave him the opportunity to pursue the two honours.
His preference for the Champions League comes after a lengthy wait for major team silverware during his career.
The striker spent most of his time at Tottenham Hotspur without winning a major club trophy before moving to Bayern in August 2023.
During his 19-year spell at Tottenham, Kane became the club’s all-time leading goalscorer, recording 280 goals in 435 appearances.
He also featured in the 2019 Champions League final, where Tottenham lost 2-0 to Liverpool.
Since joining Bayern, the English forward has secured domestic titles, including the Bundesliga and German Cup, but the Champions League remains an elusive prize.
Kane’s Ballon d’Or success followed an impressive 2025/26 season, during which he scored 73 goals for Bayern and England, helping the Bavarian side win the Bundesliga, German Cup and German Super Cup.
He became the first English player to win the award since Michael Owen in 2001, beating Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe and Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal to the honour.
Bayern’s trip to Atletico Madrid on Tuesday presents another opportunity for Kane to move closer to his European ambition, with the Champions League final scheduled for June 5, 2027, at the Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid.
