Declan Rice declares Harry Kane as the ‘clear winner’ for Ballon d’Or

Declan Rice has declared Harry Kane as the “clear winner” of the Ballon d’Or after the Bayern Munich striker starred in a 2-2 Champions League draw with Arsenal . The world’s best player of 2026 will be crowned on Monday 26 October in a ceremony at the London Palladium Theatre, with Kane a frontrunner after his sensational year in front of goal. Kane, who scored 61 in 51 appearances for Bayern last season, was involved in both of his side’s goals against the Gunners on Wednesday night, setting up Alphonso Davies ’ equaliser with an inch-perfect pass from deep before putting the hosts in front from the spot. Rice snatched a point for Arsenal with eight minutes to play as he finished off a wonderfully-worked move, but the midfielder was sure to give his England captain his flowers after full-time, declaring him as the rightful victor ahead of the Ballon d’Or verdict. Harry Kane (left) and Declan Rice embrace after full-time at the Allianz Arena (AP)  “For me, he's the clear winner,” Rice told TNT Sports. “I think his numbers speak for himself. The year he's had has been remarkable. “He’s obviously up against some other world-class players, but when you play with him, you realise how good he is, and when you play against him, you see how much of a pain it is. “As a striker, to play that pass that he did for that [Davies] goal, and then obviously took the penalty how he did, it's just... yeah, he's ridiculous. He's such a good player and I'm lucky I can play with him and also lucky I have to play against him.” Kane is currently the odds-on favourite to win the award ahead of Barcelona superstar Lamine Yamal , who won the World Cup with Spain in the summer. "It would be amazing to win,” Kane told Uefa. “The voting closed a long time ago so there's nothing I can do, just wait and see what happens."