Declan Rice backs Harry Kane for 2026 Ballon d'Or despite own nomination

Arsenal and England midfielder Declan Rice has publicly endorsed his international teammate Harry Kane to win the 2026 Ballon d'Or, revealing his preference while being a nominee himself for the second consecutive year. Rice told Sky Sports he'd 'love to see Harry Kane win it' and wished him 'all the best' in the race for football's prestigious individual award.

Kane, 33, enters the contest as a frontrunner after scoring 61 goals in 51 matches for Bayern Munich last season, helping the club secure both the Bundesliga and DFB Pokal titles. He faces strong competition from fellow nominees Lamine Yamal, Kylian Mbappe, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, with Rice himself among the 30-player shortlist.

The endorsement highlights team solidarity within the England squad amid individual award contention. Kane's Bayern success and consistent goal-scoring form position him as a serious contender, though the Ballon d'Or often favors players from Champions League-winning teams—a trophy Bayern did not win last season.

With Rice also in contention, does this public support reflect genuine teammate camaraderie or strategic messaging ahead of voting, and what does it say about how England players view Kane's legacy versus individual accolades?

SOURCE: https://dailypost.ng/2026/09/10/2026-ballon-dor-declan-rice-picks-preferred-player-to-win-award/