Harry Kane Says Ballon d’Or Wait Is Stressful for Family

Harry Kane admits he would rather find out immediately whether he has secured the Ballon d’Or, as the waiting and repeated speculation have become stressful for his family. However, the Bayern Munich and England forward understands that keeping the result secret until Monday evening’s ceremony at the London Palladium adds to the occasion.

Kane is the clear betting favourite for the prestigious individual award following an exceptional spell in front of goal. The 33-year-old registered 61 goals for Bayern last season and another 12 for England. He has already added 10 goals for his club and six for his country this campaign. Kane converted a penalty during Wednesday’s 2-2 Champions League draw with Arsenal at the Allianz Arena, but his finest contribution was a perfectly weighted pass that allowed Alphonso Davies to score the equaliser.

Barcelona youngster Lamine Yamal is considered Kane’s closest challenger for the Ballon d’Or, with Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé also among the leading contenders.

“I believe my wife and the rest of my family would rather know beforehand because the situation is extremely tense for everyone,” Kane said when asked if he wanted to receive the result before the ceremony. “I understand why they keep it confidential. They want the leading players to attend, and the uncertainty encourages more people to watch, so their reasoning makes sense.

“Personally, I would certainly prefer to know so I could relax instead of waiting all evening. Ultimately, though, the choice is theirs and there is nothing I can do about it. We will try to enjoy the event without becoming too anxious. I do my best not to dwell on it, although that is not easy. There is always speculation circulating, so I try to avoid paying attention to it.”