Tottenham boss Roberto De Zerbi has become the latest to back Harry Kane for the Ballon d’Or, with the ceremony now just hours away.

Tottenham Hotspur’s record goalscorer Harry Kane has continued to impress away from North London since departing for Bayern Munich in 2023.

In Germany, Kane has taken the Bundesliga by storm, scoring freely for the heavyweight side. Last season was his most prolific yet, netting an extraordinary 73 goals in all competitions.

It was not just about the goals, though, as the former Spurs striker helped Bayern to three trophies – the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal and German Supercup.

He also came close to a first Champions League title but was knocked out in the semi-finals by Paris Saint-Germain. A semi-final run at the World Cup also meant Kane remains without major silverware with England.

Given his numbers and influence last season, he is naturally among the contenders for football’s most coveted prize – the Ballon d’Or.

Harry Kane backed for Ballon d’Or by Tottenham’s Roberto De Zerbi

The likes of Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappe stand as rivals to Kane for the award, with both enjoying impressive campaigns of their own. While Yamal and Mbappe have been vocal in their claims that they deserve the Ballon d’Or, Kane has not engaged in much PR campaigning.

Yamal even appeared to take an indirect swipe at Kane, downplaying the forward’s achievements. The Barcelona star said: “I think the Ballon d’Or should go to the best player in the world, full stop. Not to a player who has scored 80 goals, because if you score 80 goals, you get the top scorer award for that. Those are two completely different things that people do not understand.”

Kane himself has remained laid-back, explaining: “I am extremely proud of the season I put up, for sure. Not that long ago, I was that fan wanting to become a professional footballer and I am here now and winning awards, and the Ballon d’Or is the same.

“Of course, now it is out of my hands, it is down to the voters and the people who decide it. The season I had was my best season by far and we will have to wait and see.”

Others, though, have openly campaigned for Kane, with Tottenham boss Roberto De Zerbi the latest to back him. Asked who he believes deserves the Ballon d’Or, De Zerbi said: “Harry Kane deserves to win the Ballon d’Or in my view. He is a 9, a 10, he is a number 2, number 6 – a total player.”

Kane backed by former teammates

Voting for the Ballon d’Or closed back in September, meaning any fresh endorsements will have no impact on the outcome. Attention has now shifted to Monday’s ceremony, where the winner will finally be revealed.

Harry Winks also recently backed Kane to win the award, though the midfielder admitted the striker was not the best player he has played alongside at Tottenham.

Instead, Winks named Mousa Dembélé as the standout Spurs teammate. The midfielder said: “Kane deserves it. He is an incredible champion with an incredible mentality. He has worked hard. But the best I have played with is Mousa Dembélé, the Belgian. I have learned so much from him for my growth.”