Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane has declared he would trade his Ballon d'Or trophy for a Champions League winner's medal.
The 33-year-old became the first Englishman since 2001 to win the prestigious individual award, beating Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe and Barcelona's Lamine Yamal. Kane is also on the verge of signing a new contract with Bayern, with the club expecting an announcement within the next few days.
"Team trophies are why we play football. The team aspect of our sport is really, really important," Kane told a news conference ahead of Bayern's Champions League fixture against Atletico Madrid. "The Ballon d'Or last week was one of the best feelings I've had in my life and my career. But to have moments with the team, celebrations with the club - to be able to lift the Champions League with Bayern would be an incredible feeling."
When asked to choose between the European Cup and the Ballon d'Or, the England captain added: "I would choose the Champions League, but I have the opportunity to do both - let's see what happens."
Kane is only the fifth Englishman to win the Ballon d'Or, joining Michael Owen, Sir Stanley Matthews, Sir Bobby Charlton and Kevin Keegan. Bayern had not produced a Ballon d'Or winner since Karl-Heinz Rummenigge in 1981.
The striker scored 73 goals for club and country last season as Bayern secured a domestic treble. He joined the German champions from Tottenham for £86.4m (100m euros) in August 2023 and said contract negotiations have been positive, with only minor details remaining.
Bayern's preparations have been complicated by the absence of head coach Vincent Kompany, who collapsed during a training session with the reserve team on 23 October. Kompany was discharged from hospital five days later but no return date has been set. Assistant Aaron Danks has taken charge of first-team duties. Kane acknowledged the difficulty but insisted the squad is coping well.
