Ballon d’Or win will help keep Kane at Bayern, says Germany’s Matthaus

SaveSharefacebookxwhatsapp-strokecopylinkBayern Munich's Harry Kane makes a speech after winning the 2026 men's Ballon d'Or award [Matthew Childs/Action Images via Reuters]By ReutersPublished On 28 Oct 202628 Oct 2026Winning the Ballon d’Or will help persuade Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane to extend his deal with the German champions, former World Cup winner Lothar Matthaus said.On Monday, Kane became the first Englishman to win the prestigious award – the top individual honour in the sport – since Michael Owen in 2001.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Harry Kane: How the ‘runt of the litter’ conquered a historic Ballon d’Orlist 2 of 4Five major upsets in English football before Arsenal’s League Cup shocklist 3 of 4Carrick stays on as Manchester United manager for crucial Chelsea matchlist 4 of 4Club in crisis: What are Manchester United’s top five problems?end of listThe England captain was prolific last season, scoring 61 goals in 51 games for Bayern across all competitions as the German side completed a domestic league and cup double. He was also a World Cup semifinalist with England, scoring six goals in the tournament.“We are very happy to have Harry Kane in the Bundesliga. He is an international ambassador of football,” Matthaus, who won the award in 1990 after leading Germany to World Cup victory that year, said in an online media roundtable.“Maybe he was dreaming to win the Ballon d’Or … but you have to play in a big club like Bayern. He found his peace in Munich and the right club with the right teammates.”Matthaus won the award in 1990 after leading Germany to World Cup victory [Stuart Franklin/Getty Images]Kane, 33, joined Bayern in 2023 in a 100-million-euro ($111m) move from boyhood club Tottenham Hotspur, in search of silverware. He has since won the league twice and is in talks with Bayern over a new contract.“I think he gets a bonus (for winning the Ballon d’Or); 36 years ago I got nothing,” Matthaus said. “But it is about more than money. It is a good moment to sign (a new deal) for Bayern. Bayern helped him get this Ballon d’Or.“The relationship between Harry Kane and Bayern Munich is perfect, and with everything that has happened in the last three years, I think Harry will sign his contract for the next two, three years.”Bayern, top of the Bundesliga standings, take on Magdeburg on Wednesday in the German Cup second round.