Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane has said he would prefer to know ahead of time whether he has won the Ballon d'Or, adding that he is still in the dark over Monday's decision. The 33-year-old is the bookmakers' favourite to become the first Englishman to win the prize since Michael Owen in 2001, but he faces competition from Barcelona's Lamine Yamal and Inter Miami CF's Lionel Messi among others on the 30-man shortlist.
As of 2024, organisers France Football insist they do not warn the winners in advance. That did not stop Real Madrid boycotting the event that year after learning via a leak that Vinícius Júnior had been overlooked in favour of Rodri.
Kane scored for the tenth consecutive Champions League game on Wednesday as Bayern Munich drew 2-2 with Arsenal at Allianz Arena. Only Cristiano Ronaldo (11) has a longer streak in the competition's history. Speaking to reporters after the game, Kane said: "They want everyone to go, all the big names there and there will be more people watching it if they don't know, so I can understand why. From my point of view, of course, I'd love to know to just kind of see and not have to wait throughout the whole night. But it is their decision, I can't control that."
Kane added: "I try not to think about it. Obviously it is hard not to. There are always rumours flying around and you try to stay away from it. We have important games today and I know we have another important one on Sunday before the event on Monday, so that's where my focus is." Bayern have drawn two and won once in the League Phase of the UCL so far, leaving them 14th in the table. The Bundesliga champions face third-place Freiburg on Sunday as they try to remain atop Germany's top flight.
Source: ESPN Soccer · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing