JEREMY CROSS COLUMN: No one is more deserving of winning the Ballon d'Or than England captain and Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane - there should be a public inquiry if he's snubbed

There is no one more deserving of the Ballon d'Or than Harry Kane. The England captain has been a wonderful ambassador for football for more than a decade.

The Bayern Munich forward is the perfect example, both on and off the pitch, to future footballers. He has been the best striker on the planet for several seasons. His scoring record is mind blowing. Phenomenal. Manchester United must curse the day they decided not to sign him.

Last season he helped Bayern win the domestic double, scoring a hat-trick in the DFB-Pokal final after firing them to the Bundesliga crown. He scored more than 70 goals for Bayern and England, the second-highest tally ever for a player in a single season during the 21st century.

No one has contributed more to the success of his club and national teams more than him. So if Kane doesn't collect the most prestigious of individual awards in London on Monday night, there should be a public inquiry.

Bookmakers have Kane down as firm favourite to become the first Englishman since Michael Owen to land the prize. Bookies are not often wrong.

And let's hope this doesn't change where the Three Lions' superstar striker is concerned.

Good week

Harry Brook

The swashbuckling swordsman became the first England batter to make a double hundred in a one-day international, with a sensational 202 against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi.

Brook's astonishing hitting took him past the previous England best of 182, made by Ben Stokes against New Zealand in 2023. It didn't see his side win, but was quite the achievement.

Cristiano Ronaldo

He might be serving a ban from international football following his ridiculous behaviour, but Ronaldo remains one of the most marketable assets in the game.

So much so that he has topped there Forbes' football rich list once again. Earning half-a-million quid a day might have something to do with it.

Bad week

Mark Allen

The snooker star admits he might quit the game for good due to mental health issues. The Northern Irishman has had personal problems, including bankruptcy, divorce and weight issues.

He revealed all in a heartbreaking interview which saw him close to tears. The game needs to support him like never before.

Steven Caulker

The former England, Tottenham and QPR star has revealed on social media that he remains unemployed and cannot even get an interview, let alone a job.

Caulker, who won one international cap in 2012, retired as a footballer last year and has seen the game turn its back on him.