Bayern Munich’s Aaron Danks admits ‘English bias’ in celebrating Harry Kane’s Ballon d’or triumph

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Bayern Munich assistant coach Aaron Danks has congratulated his fellow Englishman Harry Kane after the 33-year-old striker was crowned the world’s best footballer at Monday evening’s Ballon d’Or ceremony in London.

Speaking at Tuesday’s pre-match press conference ahead of Bayern’s DFB-Pokal encounter against 1. FC Magdeburg, Danks expressed his delight at Kane receiving football’s most prestigious individual award.

“A fantastic moment for him and a great achievement,” Danks said of Kane’s Ballon d’Or triumph.

“Of course, as an Englishman, I’m not entirely neutral,” Danks continued. “I’m delighted for him that he’s received recognition for all his hard work.”

Kane became the first Englishman to win the Ballon d’Or since Michael Owen in 2001, having enjoyed an outstanding 2025/26 campaign with Bayern Munich. The England captain finished ahead of Kylian Mbappé and Lamine Yamal in the voting, while also collecting the Gerd Müller Trophy for his goalscoring exploits.

Danks expects Kane to immediately return to business

Despite the significance of Kane’s achievement, Danks believes that the striker’s professionalism and relentless determination will ensure that his attention quickly returns to football.

“I know Harry very well,” Danks told reporters. “His focus will now be on scoring his next goal and his performances in the upcoming matches.”

The Bayern assistant also emphasized that Kane’s individual recognition reflected positively on the entire club, which celebrated its first Ballon d’Or winner since Karl-Heinz Rummenigge in 1981.

Danks is currently deputizing for Bayern head coach Vincent Kompany, who remains sidelined through illness. The Englishman confirmed that Kane and Bayern’s other representatives at Monday’s ceremony were expected to return from London on Tuesday and participate in afternoon training.

Kane is expected to be available for Wednesday evening’s DFB-Pokal fixture against Magdeburg, when the newly crowned Ballon d’Or winner will have his first opportunity to add to his goalscoring tally since receiving the award.

GGFN | Peter Weis