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Former Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane is one of the favourites for the Ballon d'Or, which will be handed out on Monday night in London
Roberto De Zerbi believes that Harry Kane deserves to win the Ballon d'Or not only because of his remarkable year but also his work for the team.
The England captain will go up against other favourites for the prestigious prize such as 19-year-old World Cup winner Lamine Yamal, Kylian Mbappe, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Lionel Messi among others. Kane, Tottenham's record goalscorer with 280 to his name, has done everything he can individually this year with a remarkable 73 goals in 65 games.
The 33-year-old helped fire Bayern Munich to the Bundesliga and cup double, scored 14 goals in the Champions League as the German side reached the semi-finals and then he netted six goals at the World Cup, leading England to the semi-finals. He already has 16 goals and nine assists in 16 games for club and country this season.
Should Kane lift the Ballon d'Or in the ceremony in London on Monday evening then he would become just the fifth English winner of the prize, following in the footsteps of Sir Stanley Matthews, Sir Bobby Charlton, Kevin Keegan and Michael Owen and the striker would become the first Bayern Munich player to win it in 45 years.
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De Zerbi had a clear view on who should win the Ballon d'Or when asked ahead of Spurs' 2-0 victory against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
"I think [Harry Kane] deserves to win the Ballon d’Or. There is big competition in the Ballon d’Or. The level of the player [though] is [he's a] nine, 10, he's a two, a six, a total player," said the Italian.
When asked whether Yamal's World Cup win might tip the vote in the young Spaniard's favour, De Zerbi said he thinks the decision must be made on an individual basis rather than what a club or country has won.
"I don’t know the reason for this competition, but the Ballon d'Or has to be the qualities of the player," said the Tottenham boss. "Anyway, Yamal is not bad, yeah?"